Austrian electronic producer Wolfgang Dorninger has previously released two studio albums under his own surname on Linz-based label Base Records, and this third collection 8K follows on the heels of his 2006 DVD album Nasca, On Perspective. In this case, 8K represents just the first component in an ongoing multimedia project by Dorninger, with the eight tracks collected here providing the original source material for his online 8K=8K+-(G)<>(A)<>(N) “remix concert’s foray, which sees these tracks being processed and recontextualised using G (granular digital processing) A (analogue dubplate manipulation) and N (remixing via the internet using Tubeplug software). Despite the complicated-sounding theoretical conceits implied by the above however, there’ an unexpectedly club/dancefloor-focused pulse running throughout much of 8K.
Opening track “Min/Max’ builds itself around a wonky backbone of off-centre house rhythms that intertwine around waspy-sounding analogue synths and near-acid funk squelches in an offering that calls to mind Luke Vibert’s retro-minded Moog explorations, before “Cntrl’ offers a drastic shift in mood that proves slightly abrupt, as ferocious sheets of distorted power-noise trade space with DSP-contorted house snares and doomy background ambience, in a moment that shares considerably more kinship with Shitmat or Cdatakill’ nasty excursions. “Easy Money’ meanwhile wears its hardcore influences proudly upon its sleeve, sending mutated bass pulses ringing out beneath a tidal wave of hyperactive rave breakbeats and stabbing synth riffs that sound like they could’ve been stolen directly off of an Altern8 or early 808 State track. “Butter & Tea’ meanwhile sees the nastier distorted textures moving back towards the forefront, as washes of shearing industrial noise slide against a sinister backdrop of moody EBM-centric synth pulses and Mantronix-esque breakbeats, before 20 minute long closing track “Demix’ ends proceedings on a completely different note entirely, taking things out into ominous, downbeat territory coloured with flickers of what sound like plucked string instruments and moody analogue synth pads. While it’s sometimes difficult to keep up with the abrupt shifts in stylistic pace between these eight tracks, 8K sees Dorninger fashioning a collection that manages to conjure consistently intriguing atmosphere from start to finish.
You can check out Dorninger’ 8K=8K+-(G)<>(A)<>(N) remix project at http://dorninger.servus.at/8k
Chris Downton
