Obscure Formats – Cryptid (Album – M-Tronic)
Genre/Influences: Dark-Techno, Techno-Body.
Format: Digital.
Background/Info: Obscure Formats is a side-project of Snowbeasts and mainly of Raab Codec. An impressive number of productions have been released in a very short lapse of time, “Cryptid” being the third album of Obscure Formats for 2020. The title of the work deals about ‘a creature of legend’.
Content: I expected something totally different when I knew what the title of the album is all about; something more Ambient or ritual-like. But Obscure Formats deals with the dark side of Techno music! The songs are driven by heavy beats while the electronic composition is characterized by EBM-inspired bass lines and dark atmospheres. The work has something linear, but that’s what Techno music stands for.
+ + + : “Cryptid” is a powerful production; a dark and perverted Techno format for parties in dark cellars. Pure underground! I like this approach, which is comparable to some Berliner productions in the genre and yet, this is also different. It’s more obscure and underground-like. “Basilisk” and “Ahool” both are very efficient compositions to understand the approach of this artist. I also have to mention “Tatzelwurm” driven by a phenomenal, cold tune and carried by a strong bass line. The repetitive sequences have something exciting creating a trance effect.
– – – : Some passages are a little bit too repetitive creating an unaccomplished effect, but in the end that’s often what Techno reflects.
Conclusion: If you think you’ve already heard the darkest formats of Techno music, Obscure Formats will open a forbidden door to an unknown dimension!
Best songs: “Basilisk”, “Ahool”, “Tatzelwurm”, “Mothman”.
Rate: (8).
Artist: www.facebook.com/snowbeasts
Label: www.m-tronic.com / www.facebook.com/mtroniclabel
About Obscure Formats
Obscure Formats is a side-project of Raab Codec, also known for Snowbeasts and as the head of the Component Recordings label.
“Cryptid” is Obscure Formats’ third album of 2020, written, mixed and mastered by Codec with calligraphy by Josh Yelle, released on M-Tronic in June 2020.
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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.
