BDY – when metal heads make electronics
Published April, 2014
by Easterndaze
This Slovak release seem to have popped up through my feed a couple of days ago out of nowhere and immediately caught my attention. It can be almost considered as an intentionally secret release, as this project has no label support nor have I noticed any promotion anywhere. Another remarkable fact is that BDY doesn’t live in Bratislava, where most of the Slovak electronic scene resides. A quick investigation and a couple of mutual friends have revealed that BDY currently lives in Žilina, and his main project is a sludge doom band called Möbius.
However, his 9 days EP sounds way different than output of Möbius, it is dark, minimal electronic music with a recognisable influence of Sandwell District, Blackest Ever Black, or Vatican Shadow. It has become quite common on the international music scene that metal musicians also moonlight in purely electronic projects, unfortunately this is not the case of the Slovak scene where the majority of metal heads remain loyal to the sound of guitars with only slight exceptions and their reaction towards different genres tends to be rather hostile. Therefore, it comes as a very pleasant surprise that BDY does music like this. Though practically nothing is written about the intentions or concept of this release.
The setting is melancholic and dark, despite the soft almost eerie auralisms being used here. No distortions or sounds over the top, percussions and repetitive pads singing mournful melodies are arranged in a minimal manner and composed to the backdrop of gloomy soundscapes. The dark ambiance and overall mood of 9 days EP is really immersing.
It is not the cutting edge type of release which would overwhelm you with unexpected or avantgarde sounds, walls of noise or complicated patterns. But it doesn’t really matter. Humbleness and the way how this release was shared with the outer world indicates that BDY doesn’t strive for fame and glory. Still, it is a good lesson and proof that darkness and misanthropy are not dependent on distorted sounds of black metal, doom or sludge. Hopefully this was not the last BDY’s trip into these realms of darkness as all the tracks have promising potential. And let’s hope that this article will cheer him up to carry on with this project so it will not remain shelved in the murky waters of the internet.
by b.arctor