Zobol - Killing Culture (Melodize)

 

Title: Killing Culture

Artist: Zobol

Label: Melodize

Cat Number: MELODIZE 019

Genre: Electro/Cold Wave

1: Uprising

2: Uprising (Extrawelt Remix)

3: Weapon Of Mass Destraction

4: Oppression 

‘Killing Culture’, an apt title for our times, is the latest release from Bristol’s Zobol. Someone who dabbles in electro’s Kuiper Belt., and this analogue tinged treat certainly takes us on a journey. The three original productions each scale varying heights of emotion and syncopation, none more so than ‘Uprising’ which, with its sound built around the crystallisation of loads of micro sonics. It’s the glimmers of light within the darkness that really bring this track to life, as well as the added padding of the 303, which acts like some sort of posture springing, reinforcing the track like an acid mattress. ‘Weapon Of Mass Destraction’ carries a lot more menace and is suitably dark and ominous. The melody is brooding and again, the creative use of squelches carries the track along. ‘Oppression’ is similar to ‘WOMD’ in mood. However, the percussion feels punchier and the break beats more muscular. There’s a lot to admire in these three tunes, and they’re putting Zobol alongside producers like Sound Synthesis and Plant43 as far as emotive mood creation is concerned. And then you’ve got an excellent remix from Extrawelt, who takes us away from the cyberfunk and gives us a synthetic soundtrack to a ride across the frozen steppes of your choice. Retaining the emotional content and hooks of the original, but reconstructing the beats into something more linear and martial.