Release year: 2023
Label: Zoharum
And once more, we arrive at Polish Zoharum’s doorstep to see what peculiarities they have put out. Schröttersburg, also from Poland, are already on their sixth album according to the promo sheet, several of which have been released via Zoharum. And yeah, you can hold it against me that I’ve never heard of them before.
Music database Discogs labels Schröttersburg as noise rock and post punk. Especially the latter is true, but you just cannot omit industrial from the description. Because at least to me, Kosmogonia brings to mind some very early purveyors of industrial music.
One of the main elements on the album is the strong percussion. Metallic, rhythmic, tribalistic percussion gives the album a strong, dominant backbone. And, at least for yours truly, creates certain associations to early Einstürzende Neubauten. The combination of powerful percussion put to the centre, somewhat understated instrumentation and forcefully shouted vocals make me think of Kollaps, the album I’ve most listened to by the German experimental icons.
Behind the percussion – did I already mention it’s central to the music and very dominant? I did? – the music is mainly rather understated if not quite minimalist. Layers of synth and throbbing bass are the key elements, which weave a backdrop of often somewhat oppressive or ominous ambience over which the already established more dominant elements are layered. You can’t really speak of melody when it comes to Kosmogonia; but neither is it atonal in the sense of industrial noise.
To tell you the truth, I really can’t say what tracks you should check out to get a good idea of the album. That’s perhaps the one shortcoming on Kosmogonia: no track stands out from the rest. But it’s a minor gripe, if a gripe at all, considering the overall quality on the album is good. So just check out the video track below, as it gives just as good an idea of the album as any other track.
In a nutshell, Kosmogonia is a weird, slightly oppressive, definitely haunting, possibly mysterious and unquestionably merited take on industrial post punk. The powerful, dynamic compositions are enhanced by a sound that truly emphasizes the impact of the percussion. To tell you the truth, I’m a bit stumped for words right now, so I’ll skip any fancy conclusionary prattle and say just this: regardless what your preference in industrial and/or post punk is, Kosmogonia is worth a spin.
Only Death Is Real 