Avant-garde and sinister style from Shaney and Zadig on the latest S.Lab release. It hits all the right chords, making for dissonant, horror-filled and ultra deep techno. The word ‘dark’ is often tossed around when describing techno, but after listening to Shaney’s “65 21 279 S” series, there is really no mistaking the dark vision incorporated within.
Multi-faceted genre bending is at play from the get go with a tense and ominous intro titled “Secret”. Chants and echoes akin to a werewolf at full moon drone in and out while bells ring in the background. It could be found just as easily on a horror movie soundtrack. Scared uses the terrifying energy and adds percussion and deep, low tone kick. A nice warm up to what is surely coming. Slightly progressive in nature and foreshadowing the higher paced entries that arrive on the B side. The third track “Scared” is a remix from “Zadig Day is Dying and Radiant Coda”. Broken patterns of clangs, and clashes give way for a more left-field feel while maintaining the grimy aspect laid out in the first two “S” tracks. A tired and true format of intro into warmup, into remix. Props to Shaney for letting the guests ramp up the energy.
Things get even more interesting as the record flips with a grumbling techno stomper in “Manipulation.” Definite warehouse material with its pulsating kick and dynamic ups and downs. Delay is creatively inserted giving Manipulation a rolling, or circular feel. The beat seems to go round and round with no intention of slowing down. The shriek in the foreground sounds like a sample that was chopped and reversed, dialing into the horror vibe portrayed from the intro’s first few seconds. Another remix of “Scared,” this time by Zadig only, adds hypnotic flair with wispy sound effects and warping, stereo notes. Peculiar mixing technique can also be found in the constant transition of background and foreground rhythms. One second the High EQ’s are the main actor of the show and the next moment they are blended into the background, allowing the low end to do its thing. Expect a state of trance on the dancefloor whenever this is spun.
The two forces at play (Shaney and Zadig) smash together like atoms in a particle accelerator with an ultra-stylized and broken groove on their brainchild, “The Burden.” Phasers are undoubtedly set to kill with this behemoth of a tune. Prominent, warbled funk sets the scene for absolute killer sonic warfare. The break beats showcased are top notch and reach out from the speakers and break the neck of the listener. A true underground piece of art that will have the crowd reaching for their Shazam the second the sonic waves push out of the horns. The moan and groan never lets up and brilliantly shows itself once again with the help of the bass, drums, and their twisted rhythm. It’s a showstopper of a tune.
Aptly titled “Panic,” the last track continues the trend of laughing acapella and evil murmurings making for a feeling of being unsettled. Static in the background does little to break the tension while clever bass patterns hum nefariously. Sounds of chimes on a mobile cement the eerie tone and vibe of the whole record. If it weren’t for the last “Scared” remix, this release would be almost too heavy to listen to.
Shaney creates an aura of despair and hopelessness, packed symbiotically with dance energy and groove in his latest output on S.lab ltd. Breakbeats, techno, and ambience all come together efficiently in this release. It’s not for the faint-hearted, but surely up a dark techno fan’s alley.
-Jack Plumb
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