Wieloryb – Ritual (Digital/CD Album – Zoharum)
Wieloryb originally started out as a duo sometime in the 1990s, but evolved into a solo project by Polish artist Paweł Kmiecik (also active within G.A.S.). The project gained some recognition through various hard Rhythmic-Noise releases on Hands. Over the past year and this year, there has been a lot of buzz surrounding Wieloryb: new material, but also reissues such as “Ritual”. Originally released in 2021 on Antyscena as a digital album, it was reissued by Zoharum on CD with three additional tracks.
Wieloryb has never stood still, and the Rhythmic-Noise influences have now expanded into an Industrial-Trance format, spiced with heavy kicks, hard repetitive loops, and spoken samples. It is an overwhelming experience from an artist who defies musical boundaries and, above all, expands them. He appeals to a broader audience, but one that appreciates power and darkness. The three bonus tracks do not offer much additional value, with the exception of the final track. Here, Wieloryb seems to have rediscovered some ambient-oriented material from his archives, while the closer delivers pure, primal power.
Wieloryb is the kind of artist who brings a breath of fresh air to the broader Industrial landscape, while also sounding right at home in an underground Techno temple. (Rating:8½).
Listen to “Fly – Bonus”:
https://zoharum.bandcamp.com/track/fly-bonus
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