Genre/Influences: Experimental, electronics, glitch, industrial.

Background/Info: Kongo is a new project featuring Henrik Nordvargr Björkk (Pouppée Fabrikk, Nordvargr, MZ.412, Folkstrom ao) and Peter Nyström (Negru Voda, Obscene Noise Korporation ao). “Blubber” is meant as a homage to bands such as Severed Heads and Cabaret Voltaire.

Content: Kongo rapidly appears to be an elaborated fusion between different influences. Electronic sequences have been merged with industrial noises plus pure experimental treatments. It’s hard to define the style of “Blubber”, but it definitely sounds like pure experimentalism.

The tracks are carried by mainly slow rhythms. The work has been accomplished by a few more influences and samplings. One of the songs sounds like an offspring between industrial music and dub.

+ + + : Both dark-ambient and industrial veterans have accomplished a surprising work. It is not the typical work of Henrik Nordvargr Björkk and Peter Nyström. I don’t exactly hear a possible homage to Severed Heads and Cabaret Voltaire except in the experimental way of composing the tracks. The least I can say is that Kongo is a creative process bringing different genres together. It’s an elaborated composition revealing interesting cuts such as “Lower Than Batra” revealing a great progression and “Landet Runt” for its deep, minimal approach or “Al Gadaffi Bike Gang (Giganten Ganja Smoke)” for the surprising osmosis between industrial noises and dub elements. Kongo also is one more sonic project featuring Henrik Nordvargr Björkk who clearly seems to have endless inspiration.

– – – : The diversity of the work is sometimes missing some cohesion. “Blubber” is not exactly the kind of composition, which is instantly accessible. There are many more fascinating projects where both protagonists have been involved in.

Conclusion: “Blubber” is a sophisticated experimental work composed by experienced musicians although an album you have to listen a few times before you can get into it.

Best songs: “Landet Runt”, “Lower Than Batra”, “Al Gadaffi Bike Gang (Giganten Ganja Smoke)”.

Rate: (7).

Bands: www.facebook.com/pages/Nordvargr/107816625907877 / www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100004044051125

Label: http://ur–muzik.blogspot.be / www.facebook.com/urmuzik.rec

Inferno Sound Diaries

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.

www.side-line.com