ODDER - At The Pace Of Death
Review by Atomic Robo-Kid | Album Art by Thierry Parrot
I have been following Odder's work closely, immensely enjoying his single releases and therefore have been long anticipating a multi track release. Well, finally that anticipation is over and my darkened soul is full of blood soaked joy at Odder's very first EP 'At The Pace of Death'. It was well worth the wait and my desire to plunge deeper into the soundscapes of atmospheric darkness, horror fuelled panic and uptempo aggression is well and truly satisfied, 'At The Pace of Death' pulls at your fears and delivers soul crushing intensity with well composed and intelligent use of never before heard glitches and bass lines! This packs one hell of a punch and will launch you into dark realms where dark pleasure awaits! You won't want to leave, so you better press play, hold on tight and enjoy the ride! Odder has such sights to show us!
The sights are of a shadowy, pulsating world where Darksynth and Horrorsynth, glitch sounds and dark orchestra seamlessly intertwine. This EP is masterfully produced, bringing us deep inside atmospheric worlds that evoke a sense of unease whilst simultaneously solidifing a heart pounding darkened euphoria that will captivate yet panic the listener.
The opening track, 'At the Pace of Death', sets the tone with layers of menacing synths that build a sense of impending doom, while glitchy percussive elements add a disorienting edge. Fast paced and meticulous deathly church organ rings out, as if played by death himself as you are plunged into the fast paced melodic synthwork. The track's progression is relentless, dragging you deeper into Odder's nightmarish vision. The host of well-positioned pauses and twisted church organ sounds fuel the adrenaline soaked fear and build a solid track structure.
The introduction to 'I Am Error' is Intense, broken samples are stitched together creating an uncomfortable and uncontrollable sense of fear. An electrical interference summons an overworldly spirit from the electromagnetic alternative realm. Full of glitchy sounds and bass, bass with a ton of real character, depth, movement and face melting harshness. The interplay between melody and this electrifying bass creates a hypnotic effect that you won't be able to stop yourself moving to!
'ecleaning' provides us with an amuse-bouche, cleansing our auditory palette before moving onto the next main course. At 1.05 minutes this short track sequences a diverse range of mechanical sounds, analogue TV feedback and well... distant screams and torment! Odder creates a feeling of malfunctioning machinery amidst an eerie, ambient backdrop. It's equally beautiful and unsettling at the same time! A collection of sounds that you would hear if your VHS head cleaning tape was possessed by a cursed spirit or had been recorded over by a crazed sadist capturing their criminal acts of torture. Either way, I'm not sure I feel cleansed. But, you know actually perhaps I like that feeling of loosing control.
'Pagan Incantation for No Tomorrow' ramps up the intensity with aggressive synth leads and rapid-fire glitch effects. The relentless pace and abrasive textures create a sense of frantic urgency, like a chase scene in a dystopian nightmare. This track is sure to get pulses racing and hearts pounding.Towards the end of the track those high octave accent sounds and the chants of the believers are at the forefront of this rich sonic tapestry creating a clear sense of an approaching cataclysmic climax. The layering of vocal elements, with the illegible chanting, adds a welcome extra. I'm keen to join them and see what malevolent monster we can conjure up together! This is definitely a track that lingers long after it ends.
'The Clock Master' is an incredibly complex track that has taken a lot of skill to pull together and make work. Believe me Odder has done just that in this finely tuned production! All engulfing eerie clock noises create a sense that you are being controlled by a supreme being that can transport you to different realms and different times. Controlling you, making you relive difficult times and preventing any goodness that may lay in your destiny. A difficult entity to say the least! Torturous screams echo through spine breaking, explosive kicks which are ushered down by periods of creepy chanting. 'The Clock Master' is on the cusp of bringing armageddon to all of mankind and we are all his slave! If armageddon sounds this good, I'll confess to cheering on the end of mankind.
'Sinister Ghost Postlude' is the closing track in the EP. A slower tempo, but don't worry it continues to uphold that tension the rest of this EP is so damn good at! The haunting synths, samples and subtle glitches create an atmosphere of eerie desolation. There's plenty to keep you on the edge of your seats, and you don't quite know which direction the track will follow. In fact, that's pretty mainstay for Odder's work, the twists and turns and gripping suspense is just one of many reasons I'm a big fan! It's a fitting end, leaving the listener with a profound sense of terror. It's not for the faint hearted and I enjoy those heart stopping moments before the plummet into the unknown abyss. The glitches here act like digital spectres, haunting the intricate synth lines resulting in a very fine soundtrack to a terrifying horror movie.
Overall Impressions:
Odder has crafted a compelling journey through dark and desolate soundscapes, with heaps of heart stopping action, powerful percussion, glitched sounds and twisted bass lines. Intertwined within each track you'll uncover layers of unpredictability, complexity and an adrenaline fuelled thirst for blood. The perfectly composed orchestral moments and horror movie sounds cause sheer physcological torture that pin point your inner fears with clinical precision. All poised to hammer home a package of traumatic panicked terror to the forefront of the listening experience. This is a collection of tracks that could equally stand as soundtracks for the most chilling cinematic encounters as they could the darkest moments on a Dark Clubbing dance floor.
Each track stands strong on its own, but together they form a cohesive and immersive experience that is as engaging as it is unsettling. For fans of Darksynth, Horrorsynth and the darkest of electronic music, this EP is a must-listen. Odder's innovative approach to music making and terror manifestation ensures that 'At The Pace of Death' will not only satisfy but also haunt its listeners and may even spark a dangerous interest in summoning evil spirits! Prepare to be scared, open the box and succumb to the powerful sounds. Check out the links to listen to 'At The Pace of Death'.
For more Odder, visit oddersound.bandcamp.com
