Himukalt – Knife Through The Spine (Album – Cold Spring)
Genre/Influences: Noise-Ambient, Experimental.
Format: Digital, CD, Vinyl.
Background/Info: Nevada (USA) based female artist Ester Kärkkäinen is now active for a couple of years under the Himukalt moniker. She released a considerable number of productions over a rather short lapse of time. This album is a re-release of the original album released in 2018 on Malignant Records. The songs have been remastered and there’s one extra song featured. The album is now for the very first time available on CD.
Content: Himukalt transposes music into terror! This album is a heavy piece of manipulated noises, taking off as an imaginary noise-generator. Quite progressively the tracks become more accessible, but it remains an extreme sensation in sound, perverting ‘music’ into a hardcore dimension. On top of the Noise basis there also is a strong Ambient sphere. Ester Kärkkäinen is also using her voice as an extra sonic input while on one of the tracks you’ll notice hot sensual panting.
+ + + : Some elements of the work remind me of early 80s experiments, a time where artists were really creative in the way of using their instruments and voice or simply crafting their own instruments. Even if this work sounds extreme in sound, Himukalt took care to polish it with a darker, ambient touch. There also is a kind of dynamic emerging from the repetitive Noise loops. Last, but not least, the digipak format looks great and matches its content.
– – – : If you’re not into heavy sonic experiences dealing with Noise you better avoid this work.
Conclusion: We have to salute this album, composed by one of the rare female artists dealing with Noise, but it also is an accomplished production in its genre.
Best songs: “Nude On Beach”, “Want You To See Me – The Voyeur Tapes #10”, “Staggered, Crush”.
Rate: (7½).
Label: www.coldspring.co.uk / www.facebook.com/coldspringhq
About Himukalt
Himukalt is the project of Nevada-based artist Ester Kärkkäinen, working with noise, voice, electronics and xerox. The name is Estonian for “lustfully”, and Himukalt has been described as an exorcism of negative energy built around desire, hostility and the body. Her recorded work has appeared through Malignant Records, Found Remains, The Helen Scarsdale Agency, Angst, No Rent and Several Minor Promises. “Knife Through The Spine” was originally issued by Malignant Records in 2018; this Cold Spring edition remasters the album, adds one extra track and marks its first appearance on CD.
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