Creation Through Destruction/ SSRI - Split [Geräuschmanufaktur - 2014]German-based experimental label Geräuschmanufaktur presents a split cassette (C20) between Creation Through Destruction and SSRI. Creation Through Destruction hails from Serbia and is the harsh noise project of Aleksandar Nenad, perhaps better known for his wall-making prowess as Dead Body Collection. SSRI hails from Finland and is the moniker of Pekka PT, also known for his work in Sick Seed and Gelsomina. Released in 2014, this slim tape features a single track from each artist. On CTD’s side, Nenad utilizes field recordings (of heavy equipment and a collapsing overpass) and analog electronics to craft a piece that is as fittingly destructive as his moniker implies. Entitled “Zerstörerische Maschinen,” the track proceeds with a thick wall at its foundation blended with a repetitious, wavering high end tone. The wallish piece sounds like explosions cracking in rapid succession. It’s pummeling and relentless, a juddering mass of sound bulldozing it’s way forward. As the track progresses, it sonically becomes slightly less bombastic and takes on a grainier quality with some hazy exhaust-like density thickening the sound out. Towards the end it sounds like Nenad employs some sparse use of vocals that ring distant and buried, engulfed by a swarm of static. I must say that as a fan of Dead Body Collection, CTD is every bit as good. Side B is occupied by SSRI. His piece “Unpleasant Psychic Results,” is crafted using field recordings, sound recycling, and “Ssrippertronics” (perhaps a play on a form of tape delay known as Frippertronics?). His track compliments CTD’s side well, employing crunchy static blast, all broken and jagged, along with some metal sounding clang in the backdrop. A thick atmosphere of harrowing exhaust sounds toil with the sonic destruction presented. Strangely this caustic assault degrades into haunting ambience (at least to my ears) as the piece progresses. The static morphs into something sounding like a great mass of people speaking all at once. A sonic devastation dissolved into a ghostly transmission. An excellent splits’ worth of material through and through. It’s only limited to 50 pieces so you best grip a copy while you can. Hal Harmon
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