Turbo Hamster - Obluda

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Turbo Hamster’s Obluda explores complex, shadowy musical terrain and creates emotionally deep and powerful imagery as it unfolds. The way in which it mingles diverse synth sounds with expressive melodies and an ever-present sense of lurking danger takes listeners on a unique musical journey.

Raging, jagged synth contrasts with gently caressing sounds while huge bass rumbles and energetic drums propel the music on Obluda. All of the different synth tones, timbres and textures intermingle into a ear-catching electronic symphony that is full of drama and engaging audio storytelling.

Complex melodies fill Obluda. The melodies seamlessly move between tragedy and tenderness, touching on threatening darkness and deep emotional pain. Turbo Hamster creates shifting musical terrain that encompasses a broad span of the human experience within each melodic moment.

All of the musical elements of this album come together to tell stories of deadly threat, gentle pain and great voids of shadow. There is strong imagery woven in my mind as I listen. I readily absorb all of the moods and mental states that Turbo Hamster creates through his luscious music.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Moonshadow” begins with darkly throbbing bass and pounding kick drum move in a steadily pulsing beat. Even heavier, lower bass sweeps below as the echoing snare drums guide the music. Cosmically twirling synth gently floats above the thick bass well and hard-hitting drums.

The distant, delicate synth carries a tenuous note pattern above the shadows below it. Now an elevated, gently glowing synth sings a wistfully wandering melody over the bursting drums and lush bass.There’s an interesting contrast between looming dark and tender sound.

Desolate synth sweeps past and distant, fragile sounds skim through the music. Widely flowing synth glides as a melancholy melodic pattern aches. The lead synth flashes with sunny light as the track returns to the main melody supported by pulsing drums and bass.

Halting pulses of colossal synth throb with deadly intent into vast space as “The Grim Star” opens. Jagged synth grinds in oscillating lines and heavy drums batter above a surging bass tide to push the track forward. Broadly gleaming, ominous synth carries a melody with portentous weight as glittering arpeggios revolve in a galactic drift.

Drums hit hard and angular synth oscillates. Shiny synth trumpets as it carries an active melody, effectively dripping danger above a bass void. Medium-high, glowing synth arpeggiates and chimes sparkle in a worried pattern above gliding notes. Shadowy, shifting bass looms and the drumbeat keeps guiding the music to an end.

“Lost Illusions” starts as trembling, gentle synth echoes into open space. Lightly touching, shimmering synth drifts and dense bass is joined by steadily shaping drums. Raised synth flickers in a mournful melodic pattern above gigantic bass, driving on as the drums create a heartbeat.

The bass has real weight as glittering synth repeats a melodic pattern that skilfully adds a tense element to the music. In the distance, lurking danger is captured by swelling, nervous sound and crushing bass throbs. Taut, high notes shiver and heavy drums burst. Terrified-sounding arpeggiating notes drift and silence falls.

Slowly twisting sounds drift out as an uneven, jagged synth surges to commence “Bloodlust.” Massive drums form a horrifying wave along with Stygian bass as ominous sounds sweep in the distance.

Medium-low synth with a gruff edge writhes through the music as bass towers and leaps. Medium-high, nervous synth exudes fright while terror pours from the looming bass. I enjoy the way the bass threatens to swallow the entire track in shadow.

The bass drops out as the lead synth mingles pain with more dangerous emotion. The lead synth becomes an uneven, writhing tide as colossal bass surges and drums thump. The sense of impending doom evoked by the torturously twisting synth and heavy drums and bass fills the whole track before silence reigns.

“The Nameless Being” opens as seething bass pulses with dark strength and synth slices in angular lines before drums thunder. Gargantuan, shadowy bass is broken by piano notes jangling above it.

Smoothly gliding synth trickles as a piano carries distantly wandering notes while fragile light touches the wistful melody. After silence briefly falls, glistening synth twinkles above a far off piano melody, full of tragic emotion as it flows into open space.

Trailing piano and flitting higher synth are struck by a vast bass pulsation as drums slam forward. The balance between hammering power and fragility is well-crafted in this track. As the track closes, aggressive drums and bass slam into the music below the tenuous brightness. The music ends on trickling, delicate notes.

A dark sonic miasma swirls as a rumbling bass heartbeat distantly throbs, growing in power to start “The Vengeful Devourer.” The bass charges forward in a trampling throb as sharp sounds grow into it.

Darkly trumpeting synth leaps in an angular pattern over the shadowy power, reaching out dark tentacles as drums hit hard. Medium-high synth cascades, tinged with a diffused glow. Heaving bass relentlessly pulsates and razor-edged, broad-sounding synth vibrates in agitated motion. I enjoy the deadly sense of energy pouring from the music.

A raised, rapidly flaring synth pattern is touched by elevated, tender synth repeating a majestic melodic pattern in contrast to the unrelenting umbra below it. Brighter synth moves into open space before the unrelenting bass tide washes in. Placid synth carries the hopeful melody, even as the hungry shadows rise below and the track drives on to a conclusion.

“Obluda” starts as the bass conveys lurking danger as strange, evil sounds tremble. Rough-edged bass is joined by heavy, descending piano to create the feeling of falling down into an endless chasm. Muscled, intensely dense bass moves below lonely piano as gigantic drums push into the music.

Glittering synth repeats a steady pulse to add urgency as gruffly shining synth adds tension. A round-toned, radiant synth sings a noble melody as harsh bass washes over continually beating drums. LoLa Lana’s guitar slices in, carrying portentous notes. Full, medium high synth rings out above the guttural tide in a melody that is surprisingly hopeful and warming.

The low end is massive and crushing, but higher synth still shines through. Jagged synth drops down and a distant, hollow sound echoes. The drums hit hard and glittering arpeggios whirl as bass keeps growling. LoLa Lana plays a guitar solo that arcs on with flashing light and rising energy, soaring above the weight below it. The track ends on ringing synth and piano above the bass plane far underneath it. Guitar calls out and silence falls.

Conclusion

Obluda is darksynth with more nuance and emotional depth than some of the music in that genre. There’s layered, complex sonic interactions and melodies that travel through varied feelings and moods here. I find the end result engaging and pleasing in equal measure.