Former Metal guitarist now Techno producer Flaming Schizoid delivers a twisted take on Minimal with his latest self-released album, “Fire On Fire.”
Flaming Schizoid: that’s one hell of a name, and for Danish Techno producer Morten Gilsted, it seems to perfectly fit the bill. Having played in several Metal bands over the last three decades, Gilsted is well versed in the darker side of music. As of the last two years however, Flaming Schizoid has been Gilsted’s sole focus of his music making. His second self-released album, “Fire On Fire,” exhibits some of his most intricate and inimitable Techno tracks to date.
Starting off the album is a stripped back and groovy track tit “Slithering.” A delicate tap of a drum sets the pace, only to be suddenly engulfed by a big booming kick. Right away, Flaming Schizoid demonstrates his production skills with meticulous vocal chops and a gambit of creative sampling. The second cut, “Drive of the Motherland,” picks up the pace and doubles in intensity. Loose shakers and vibrating tones prevent you from sitting still, while psychedelic sound effects keep you locked in and on your toes. “Decrypted” takes you on a trip down the rabbit hole, as juxtaposing leads wrestle for dominance, and the title track “Fire On Fire” utilizes a fully swung, hard tribal beat you will likely find yourself stomping to. As we enter the homestretch of the album, the bewildering, lackadaisical track, “Drifting in Space,” oozes with dramatic tension and release, yet feels significantly tamer than the other cuts. Lastly, the closing track, “Splash,” might just be the most unnerving of them all. An aimlessly meandering bass line won’t sit still. A looping splash noise is used in lieu of cymbals or hi hats, while reverberating chants fill in the gaps.
“Fire on Fire” is an album perhaps most suitable for fans of dark and abstract electronic music. While many so called “minimal” techno tracks can feel too simple or complacent, Flaming Schizoid’s productions are a far cry from that trope. Constantly progressing, and not in the least bit predictable, “Fire on Fire” is an album that feels fresh, unique, and innovative. Support the artist with a digital download, linked above.
-Jeronimo Watson
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