Vilgoc & Barrera — Tempest

Tempest is a two-track wall noise split. It's a CDR/ digital release, which features two around thirty-minute takes on the genre, with each giving their own twist on this most brutal of genres. Featured here are Polish project Vilgoc, which has been sporadically releasing material since the early 2000s. And Barrera- whom I’m guessing is either a new project, or another sporadically venture - as I can’t find any information on the project, including where they are from.

The release appears on New York-based MTRec Distribution- I’m reviewing the digital version of the release, but the CDR version comes presented in a slimline jewel case, with a smeared oriental letter as artwork…not sure what this has to do with the release, maybe it’s the letter for Tempest?!.

First up we have Vilgoc track, this is entitled “Kaze” and comes in a second shy of the half-an-hour mark. The ‘wall’ is a blend of muffled ‘n’ droning low-end hoover and spiteful skittering static grain. These elements are brought together to create a ‘wall’ that is both ominous in its hovering weight, and nasty in its static simmer. The textures are mixed together in a nicely constricting manner, with the whole thing being an effective and entrancing ride. It’s a good few years since I’d last heard anything from Vilgoc- and this track certainly proves it’s not lost its touch for making rewarding wall-matter.

Next, we of course have the Barrera track, which is entitled “Sometimes, No Possible Input Can Change”- which slides in a few seconds over the thirty-minute mark. Here we find a constantly rolling beaded like wash, which is underfed by a rushing static grain- both textures have a fairly similar mid tonal focus, so as a result they often start to blend and blur together in a hazed wash of sound. This ‘wall’ feels like trudging through an unrelenting rainstorm- without a coat, and seemingly no shelter in sight. There is a cold, yet calming feel about the whole thing- and I guess you’d say it’s more going towards the ANW side of things. I enjoyed this track, and I’ll certainly be curious to sample more of Barrera work down the line.

Tempest is a worthy split, with both tracks having their reward and worth. It’s nice to see a not necessarily known for release wall noise label like MTRec Distribution put this out, and let's hope they think about releasing more in the genre down the line.