Yotzeret Sheydim — Avraham
First released in April of 2022, and having several reissues since, Avraham is yet more proof of how talented, versatile, and creative Pittsburgh-based noise project Yotzeret Sheydim is. The project started off as a more straight-ahead wall noise venture- but has since gone onto genre mix ‘n’ blur with great skill/ flare- this nine-track release pulls together elements of noise, synth core/ punk, electro-industrial, etc.
The edition of the album I’m reviewing is the third( to date) it comes in the form of a C45 tape with Torah text printed on transparent labels. The tape is housed in a clear Norelco case in a clear sleeve, which comes presented with a stamped and twisted copper obi strip. Sadly this has now gone out of print- though you can still download the album here, which I very highly recommend- let us hope it gets another physical repress down the line!.
The album kicks off with stabbing beats, hissing-to-purring electronics, groovily darting retro synth lines, and growled/ baying vocals of “Stepping Up To Alter”. As we move through the first half of the album we have the title track- here we find a backdrop of snapping beats ‘n’ bass synth throb- topped with a searing to brooding blend of baying noise craft, eerie moans, and muffled/ feedback whispers.
Moving onto the second half we go from the ripping ‘n’ serrated groove of “Names Of Violence” which is edged with haunting & harmonic tone flourishes. We have the gallopingly quirky synth craft meets electro hissing/ stab/ fork of “Kicking Off The Phylactery” which features some of the most jarring & intense vocal bays of the album. The album finishes off with epic seven & a half minutes of “To Become A Man” which opens with creepily roughshod vocoder vocals & distorted organ purr. Before shifting off into a wonderful manic/jammed-out mix of hissing ‘n’ skipping beats, organ/ synth runs, electro-waved-to-bayed vocals, and pulsing bass stabs.
Avraham is another masterful release from Yotzeret Sheydim. I can see it as being both an excellent entry point into both this project world, and noise in general- as blended in with the noise sear ‘n’ slice are keen-if-lopsided grooves, a sense of melody/ atmosphere, and a hell of a lot of flare/ creativity.