Gaping Chasm – Ergospective (Digital/CD Album – Aliens Production)
It’s been years since I last heard of Gaping Chasm. Driven by Czech artist Roman Petro, aka ‘Ergo’—also known from Anima Mundi and once a journalist for Crewzine—this album compiles a selection of older demo recordings and rare tracks.
The album plays like a trove of unearthed, long-forgotten pieces. Its style and influences strongly recall the early years of Skinny Puppy, but especially Mentallo & The Fixer. Expect dark EBM built on relentless sequences and pounding rhythms, layered with distorted vocals. Among the chaos, there are truly brilliant moments to be found, including a striking instrumental piece reminiscent of Benestrophe.
This release offers several outstanding examples of high-caliber EBM, though it also includes a few less essential tracks that feel more like they round out the collection. (Rating:7½).
Listen to “Are You Ready Follows”:
https://aliensproduction.bandcamp.com/track/are-you-ready-follows-2
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.
Since you’re here …
… we have a small favour to ask. More people are reading Side-Line Magazine than ever but advertising revenues across the media are falling fast. Unlike many news organisations, we haven’t put up a paywall – we want to keep our journalism as open as we can - and we refuse to add annoying advertising. So you can see why we need to ask for your help.
Side-Line’s independent journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. But we do it because we want to push the artists we like and who are equally fighting to survive.
If everyone who reads our reporting, who likes it, helps fund it, our future would be much more secure. For as little as 5 US$, you can support Side-Line Magazine – and it only takes a minute. Thank you.
The donations are safely powered by Paypal.
