Genre/Influences: Experimental, dark-ambient, noise.
Format: Digital, CD.
Background/Info: Chaotalion is a project set up in 1997 by Alexander Marco. This German artist earned some reputation in the industrial scene with his project SaturmZlide (known by the Hands fans). “Asabjaris” is his second full length album and the first one released on Krater Recordings (Audiophob subdivision).
Content: Chaotalion has nothing in common with the industrial work of SaturmZlide. It sounds more abstract and definitely experimental. Some passages feel like pure improvisation featuring an assemblage of field recordings and noise manipulations. The last part of the work moves into a dark-ambient creation supported with dark synth layers.
+ + + : The work takes off with impressive, overwhelming sound waves. This work will definitely catch the attention of all lovers of heavy sonic manipulations, but I prefer the dark-ambient approach to the last tracks. “Z7000RAIN0027Z” and “Z7000DARK0007Z” both have a strong visual appeal, which will please the dark-ambient fans.
– – – : The experimental side of the album is not easy to seize and not really my cup of tea. It sometimes sounds like pure noise chaos. This is not really an accessible record.
Conclusion: Krater Recordings definitely appears to be a more ‘extreme’ division of Audiotrauma and that’s precisely where this project belongs.
Best songs: “Z7000RAIN0027Z”, “Z7000DARK0007Z”.
Rate: (6½).
Artist: www.facebook.com/chaotalion
