156 / Knurl – Split (Album – Humanhood Recordings)
Genre/Influences: Industrial, Noise.
Format: Digital, Cassette.
Background/Info: This work is a split-album between Adel Sauto (156) and Alan Bloor (Knurl). Both artists have been active for a while, but especially Canadian Alan Bloor who has released an impressive discography.
Content: Both artists each released a single, nearly 20 minute, track. 156 deals with old-school Industrial music, which is mainly characterized by the numerous metallic sound treatments. The track is supported by a dense, obscure atmosphere creating an illusion of nearby danger. This track reminds me of Industrial music from the ’80, which remains the artist’s main source of inspiration.
Knurl deals with pure Noise. This track gives you the impression facing a true wall of sound, an overwhelming sonic ogre of harsh noises and buzzing sound waves. There’s less variation in the track, but some passages are clearly heavier than others.
+ + + : I really like the Industrial track by 156. “The Collapse Of It All – Pts I – III” is a composition reminding me of the real spirit of 80s Industrialists. I also enjoyed the progression of this cut, which during the final part is accentuated by a crescendo cadence. It gives you the feeling of a true transcendental apotheosis.
– – – : I was less inspired by the Knurl track, but I have to admit I never have been a huge lover of Noise. There also is a serious contract between both artists although both genres are clearly related.
Conclusion: This cassette reveals good-old Industrial music and pure Noise. I’m still addicted to the 80s Industrial scene and therefore clearly recommend discovering the sound universe of 156.
Best songs: 156:“The Collapse Of It All – Pts I – III”.
Rate: (7).
Artists: www.facebook.com/onefivesixband / www.facebook.com/alan.bloor.98
Label: www.facebook.com/humanhoodrec
About 156 and Knurl
156 is the project of Cuban-born, US-based artist Adel Souto. Its name references the Crowleyan concept of Babalon, described in occult numerology as number 156, and Souto has framed the project as a female-coded response to the patriarchal aspects of the music scene. Before 156 he was involved in Punk and Hardcore bands. His album “An Accidental Exorcism” (2020, No Part Of It) mixed Industrial, Dark Ambient and Experimental elements as an homage to minimalist horror-movie soundtracks.
Knurl is the noise project of Canadian composer Alan Bloor, originally from Windsor, Ontario and later based in Quebec. Bloor started in the early-1980s hardcore punk band Binge Of Violence before turning to solo noise work built from found objects such as fan blades, typewriters, scrap metal and car springs. Recording as Knurl since 1994, starting with “Initial Shock”, he has released more than one hundred albums and performed with Jim O’Rourke and Thurston Moore. This split brought the two projects together on Humanhood Recordings.
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