It interesting how this geographical sonic mapping works. Now it seems to be focused on Poland somehow - at least in the last three articles that is:) The case in point today is the ‘new’ record by Poznan based psychedelic wyrd freaks Grobbing Thristle whom we also had on our compilation which you can still download for free here.  Anyway, I digress. Grobbing Thristle released a stunningly haunting album in September 2009 entitled Hidden Strategies.

Two years later, an equally macabre refashioning of the album has seen the light of the day. Hidden Strategies: other encompasses different - sometimes only slightly - versions of the aforementioned album, which seems even more experimental and playful but not one inch less dark.  There’s something masochistic but also fascinating about artists rediscovering their own work. With Grobbing Thristle, it also might be a sign of more things to come. 

Somehow I’m becoming prejudiced against projects with too many “ungooglable” symbols in their names, but let’s forgive the fledgling producer in this instance. Hailing from Gdansk in northern Poland, ∑B❍L▲ ▲P∑ creates music on stolen laptop. Remaining very uncanny, his music could be described as post-witch house (even if this category seems totally ludicrous) or slightly inane wonky, drag, bass-infused and somehow eerie… 

∑B❍L▲ ▲P∑ by ∑B❍L▲ ▲P∑

The title of b.aTL’s new record is slightly misleading, although for those in love with fucked up broken structures, twisted beats, squelches and squeaks, there’s no denying of this sonic quality. Released on the Macedonian label Greenfields, an online platform for music, photography, graphic design, illustration or new media, Aleksandar Baldazarski’s latest release reaffirms his affinity for IDM-inspired sonic structures, spearheaded by Autechre, but injecting it with his own aesthetic.

Aleksandar is a member of the fledgling laptop ensemble Disphilharmonia, active on the Skopje scene and the brilliant radio Kanal 103 which we had a chance to visit (check back here later for a podcast of our guerrilla style Kanal 103 takeover and some words about the Macedonian electronic/experimental music scene)

High exposure to the Omm sound might lead to elevated states of consciousness - the fuzz drone trance. A new solo release by the Košice-based graphic designer and member of the audiovisual project BIOS, sees him delve into noise-ridden soundscapes, already explored with his aforementioned project, with his guitar as his mantra. Whereas in BIOS, he would take up mainly the role of the visualist (later also as an auralist), in Omm Sound he is in charge of both visual and aural side.

The ever brilliant Polish label Sangoplasmo focuses on the outthere spectrum of electronic music, mostly drone and ambient and wyrd electronica, but its recent releases demonstrate a direction into more rhythm-based genres such as “techno” and percussion. Although in their guise, its more the weird, grainy, cosmic kind. Enough to make you dream and dance at the same time. As contemporary as it gets. 

They have just released several new tapes. Katapulto + Animalia includes five recordings in six different languages about five animals. A lysergic journey into sounds of the netherworld, haunting and weirdly comforting. Dreamy and introspective, slow and beautiful. 

One of my favourites is Lutto Lento - Death Beam, inspired by the electromagnetic weapon invented by Nikola Tesla in the 1930s. Funeral techno is how I would call it (shall we establish a new most ridiculous genre names competition here?), with random squelches, electronic hiccups ideal dancing on the graves of the not yet deceased. It’s not even witch house, it’s much better. 

Go get the tapes, support this brilliant label. (you can listen to the previews on their website) luv.