Woundfont - Infinite Undo [Void Singularity Recordings - 2019]Infinite Undo severs up three twenty six minute examples of walled noise- these move from dense & swirling suffocating, through to bleakly tunneling, onto slurred & crushingly bass bound wall-making. The release appears in the form of a CDR on UK’s Void Singularity recordings- and as of this review, the label still has copies. The CDR is presented in a DVD case, and the outside takes in a mass of thick grey & white static- with on the spine featuring low fi computer print fount. All making a simple, yet effective bit of packaging. The release appeared in an edition of 15 copies.
Woundfont is from New York State, and has been seemingly active since mid last year- as far as I can gather the projects put out a handful of digital releases- I believe Infinite Undo is the projects first physical release- though seemingly the mind behind it has been involved in general noise for a few years now with projects like beholden & (w)resting place.
First, out of the gate we have “Undo”- this finds rapid rushing water like textured, blended with layers bubble static & thin judder. To begin with the ‘wall’ certainly creates a feeling of lashing & drenching urgency, as if ones either running through a torrential rainstorm or watching it from underneath fragile shelter. Unfortunately after around ten or so minutes this ‘wall’ really lost my interest- the layers seem all around a fairly similar mid-ranged, and sadly there’s was never that magic sensation of the shifting & patter-nation occurring. So for me not a great start.
Track two comes in the form of “Redo”- here we get a decidedly stark & tunneling noise drone- this underfed by a grim rattle ‘n’ barren jitter. This ‘wall’ has a most satisfying feeling terminal & consistent numbing bleak-ness, which really does become most entrancing- lets one drift off in a glum trance-like state.
The third & final track is “Recurse”- this ‘wall’ consists of a deep ‘n’ grinding bass purr- around this, we find descending grain crinkles & rattles, as well as some nicely crisp sub-tone winkles. This is a great follow-up to the last track, really pulling over the side of baroness into crushing despair. Once again there’s a really satisfying feeling of entrancement occurring here- and this is nicely added to by the bass weight of the whole thing.
In finishing, I’d say that Infinite Undo is a worthy enough physical debut release- as you'll have read I wasn’t too fussed about the first track, but some of this is down to personal taste. The other two tracks are most effective, and work well as a grim & crushing sonic tag team- I’ll certainly be keeping an eye out for more work from Woundfont. Roger Batty
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