Zoloft Evra – Hypoxyphilia (Cassette EP – Marbre Negre)
Genre/Influences: Experimental, dark-ambient.
Background/Info: Set up in 2014, the Italian formation Zoloft Evra was meant to ‘create a new musical act focusing on disturbing atmospheric suicidal themes and rituality’, which explains the band claims to compose ‘negative drone ambient’. Zoloft Evra has already released several productions on very different labels.
Content: “Hypoxyphilia” features 3 cuts, which are now reminding me of early 80s experiments and then evolving towards more familiar dark-ambient fields featuring a truly horror-vision. The noise aspect is present, but rather as an influence instead of real noise release.
+ + + : What I especially appreciate with these kinds of bands is the truly minimal- and underground approach. Even if the work is available on digital platforms, the cassette format, which remains something physical you can touch, is pure underground like and limited to 100 copies. But it’s not only about an underground approach; Zoloft Evra still composes a very obscure sound, which might be intended to disturb their listeners. There clearly is a noticeable visual aspect emerging from the music and especially from “Blood Stained Misogyny”. Last, but not least I also want to say a word about the artistic package of this cassette, which only accentuates the obscure side of the band.
– – – : I regret this production only features 3 cuts, but that’s precisely what you might expect from a so-called EP. I personally prefer the dark-ambient side instead of the more experimental aspect of the work, which mainly comes through on the opening track.
Conclusion: Zoloft Evra seems to find their inspiration in the darkest and maybe most perverted corners of mankind… or how do we have to understand the title of this work referring to ‘autoerotic asphyxiation’!? It creates a tormenting sonic experience, which is exactly what lovers of this music genre are begging for!
Best songs: “Blood Stained Misogyny”.
Rate: (7).
Band: www.facebook.com/zoloftevra
Label: www.marbrenegre.com / www.facebook.com/Marbre–Negre-117060724986058
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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.
