Esplendor Geometrico – Eurasia (EP – Hands)
Genre/Influences: Industrial, Rhythmic-Noise.
Format: Digital, Vinyl.
Background/Info: Spanish Industrial pioneers Esplendor Geometrico remains a true phenomenon. The band has been a source of inspiration for numerous Industrial projects, but still an absolute reference when it comes to Industrial music and Rhythmic Noise. Their newest work “Eurasia” features four new cuts and it’s the very first time they released a production on Hands.
Content: The EP features 4 different cuts, which are more standing for the ‘softest’ or should I say ‘slower’ side of the band. The tracks are driven by slow, shamanic rhythms, which are mixed with bombastic sound arrangements and spoken samplings. Some passages remind me a bit of Muslimgauze.
+ + + : It’s great to see Esplendor Geometrico working together with Hands; a great label for a great band! Sound-wise I can’t say it’s the best work I’ve heard from the duo, but it sounds however visionary. The rhythm is slower, but still pretty transcendental. I like “El Despertar Del Gigante Asiático” for the Eastern sphere that has been added on top. Another cool cut is “La Ruta De La Seda”, which is quite comparable in approach.
– – – : I’m just missing one harder, merciless piece. The title track, which is the last track of the work, is definitely not the best one.
Conclusion: I can’t say this is the best Esplendor Geometrico release I’ve ever heard, but it remains a true experience in Industrial sound and rhythm.
Best songs: “El Despertar Del Gigante Asiático”, “La Ruta De La Seda”.
Rate: 7½.
Artist: www.facebook.com/esplendorgeometricooficial
Label: www.handsproductions.com / www.facebook.com/hands.official
About Esplendor Geometrico
Esplendor Geométrico is a Spanish industrial band formed in Madrid in 1980 by Arturo Lanz, Gabriel Riaza and Juan Carlos Sastre, all three of whom had left El Aviador Dro y sus Obreros Especializados. The name comes from “Geometric and Mechanical Splendor and the Numerical Sensibility”, a text by the Italian futurist F.T. Marinetti. Arturo Lanz and Saverio Evangelista are the current members.
The band worked through the early-1980s international tape scene, releasing the single “Necrosis En La Poya” on Tic Tac in 1981, the cassette “EG-1” in 1982 and the LP “El Acero Del Partido / Héroe Del Trabajo” the same year. Later work includes “Kosmos Kino” in 1987, “Mekano-Turbo” in 1988, the tenth-anniversary double cassette “Diez Años De Esplendor” in 1990, “Arispejal Astisaró” in 1993, “Polyglophone” in 1997, the remix album “EN-CO-D-Esplendor” in 1998 with contributions from Coil and Chris and Cosey, “Compuesto De Hierro” in 2002 and the double-CD “Anthology 1981-2003” in 2005.
The four-track EP “Eurasia” was released on 10 September 2021 and is the duo’s first record for Hands. Side-Line also reported on two limited vinyl reissues from Esplendor Geométrico issued through Geometrik in December 2021.
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I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.
