Genre/Influences: Industrial, IDM.

Background/Info: Portuguese duoDavid Arantes – César Rodrigues have already released a few number of albums on Kvitnu. It’s not exactly the most familiar name active in the wider fields of industrial music so every new opus always is an opportunity to gain a wider recognition.

Content: The main basis of this album definitely sounds industrial-like. It has been joined by multiple influences, which are switching from electro-industrial to ambient-like to IDM and power-noise. I noticed several short songs. “Survivalismo” is a rather sophisticated piece of music featuring endless sound manipulations.

+ + + : I was mainly fascinated by the global sound-production of this work. Sturqen creates great sound treatments and I especially like the analogue sound approach, which brings something authentic, but cold. Some cuts are pretty elaborated revealing well-crafted structures and phenomenal sound treatments. “Novag” is an absolute masterpiece, which reminds me a bit of M². “Minar” is another magical composition characterized by overwhelming, blasting sounds.

– – – : My single regret concerns the few shorter tracks creating this feeling of unaccomplished and yet featuring great sonic textures.

Conclusion: This is an album you really have to discover if you like industrial music with a wider sonic horizon and an intelligent approach.

Best songs: “Novag”, “Minar”, “Torso”, “Rito”.

Rate: (8).

Artist: www.sturqen.com / www.facebook.com/STURQEN

Label: www.kvitnu.com / www.facebook.com/kvitnu

About Sturqen

Sturqen is a Portuguese duo on the Ukrainian label Kvitnu. Discogs lists the album “Cura” (2016, Kvitnu) ahead of “Survivalismo”, followed by the EP “Marginais” (2019, Gooiland Elektro/Enfant Terrible) and the album “Pantera” (2021, Nervu).

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.

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