V/A Вароша (Album – UIS)
Genre/Influences: Industrial, dark-ambient, noise, minimal-electro.
Format: Digital, cassette.
Background/Info: This compilation features artists hailing from Greece, turkey, Italy, Russia and Cyprus; the last country being the home of UIS. “Вароша” features 15 artists while this sampler is dedicated to the 45th anniversary of the ‘Cyprus conflict’ getting us back to the coup d’état from 1975 and its consequences, which are still noticeable and moving on today.
Artists: H.C.N., Jericho Trumpet, Ajuleg&Irm, Arbeitsunfall, Black Spring, Kerem Ergener, Ультраполярное Вторжение, Matriarchy Roots, Qamat Is-Sa’atu, Grëzoblazhenstvie, Faintin’ Goats, Krrau, Grim Machine, Theotokos, Blue Dervish.
Content: This compilation features a nice selection of unknown projects dealing with a rather diversified content. From the industrial/noise debut track by H.C.N. to the mystic industrial-ambient sphere emerging from Jericho Trumpet to the minimal-like Arbeitsunfall to the more experimental Black Spring to the noise driven Qamat Is-Sa’atu to the industrial-techno like Theotokos, this work has a lot to offer and to discover.
+ + + : I honestly never heard –or can’t remember to have ever heard, one of the featured artists. So I’m always excited when a compilation gives you the opportunity to get in touch with new names, but “Вароша” also reveals cool surprises. I discovered a few songs made with great sound intelligence. The most noticeable tracks are the ones by Arbeitsunfall, Theotokos and Matriarchy Roots. I also salute the DIY approach from the label, which reminds us the real spirit of underground music.
– – – : I admit have I’ve been not convinced by all projects and especially the most experimental/abstract passages aren’t my favorite ones.
Conclusion: If you’re a little bit curious to discover interesting new names from the electro/industrial/ambient/experimental underground scene, I can only highly recommend this compilation, which gets my total support!
Best bands: Arbeitsunfall, Theotokos, Matriarchy Roots, Jericho Trumpet, Ajuleg&Irm.
Rate: (7½).
Label: www.facebook.com/uislabel
About UIS
UIS is a Russian post-industrial label and collective that produces non-commercial compilations and distributes cassettes and CDs directly in public spaces rather than through conventional retail. “Вароша” was released in 2019 in two editions: a 15-track cassette co-issued with Collapsar Publishing, and a 14-track digital WAV edition.
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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.
