Genre/Influences: Industrial, experimental.
Format: Digital, Vinyl.
Background/Info: Based in Bristol (UK) Harrga has been set up in 2017 by Miguel Prado (electronics) and Dali de Saint Paul (voice and effects). Their music is made ‘in honor of those who burn the borders & keep indelible marks’. This album is their official debut work.
Content: This album reminds me of early 80s experiments from bands mixing industrial-, experimental- and ambient music. There’s a move back to the early origins of the 80s industrial movement, which you can notice in the industrial sound treatments. The atmosphere hanging over the work has something hostile, sometimes accentuated by ritual passages. And on top of it all you’ll discover the enigmatic vocals of Dali de Saint Paul who’s vocals are somewhat half spoken and often in an exclamation modus. The vocals are ‘sung’ in French and the lyrical content appears to be definitely engaged and even into some political perception of a dystopian reality.
+ + + : I like the retro-touch running through this work, which reminds me of early pioneers like Einstürzende Neubauten, The Hafler Trio and related formations. The music is pretty diversified and yet the particular production of the vocals appears to be the red line throughout this work. Vocals and music together create a disturbing atmosphere, which makes the strength of this work. The last songs from the album are worthy of examination for their explicit industrial approach.
– – – : The artwork of the album looks cool, but it’s a pity there’s no inscription at the front side while the back side is hard to read. Sound-wise the experimental approach will clearly appeal for a very restricted number of listeners… although there’s nothing wrong with that.
Conclusion: Behind the enigmatic artwork and the complex music, is hiding a real engagement and a critical perception of the society we’re living in!
Best songs: “Desert Song”, “Phone Recording”.
Rate: (7).
