Skambidt - Abstraktionens Essens

 Released: September 5 

The first release from Danish producer Lars Kvig’s modular project SKAMBIDT in two years, Abstraktionens Essens is a dark and swirling black hole of electronic sound. Predominately forged by his modular setup, Kvig also integrates field recordings and his own voice into these dark soundscapes to create otherworldly and strange textures that feel like the belong somewhere in the realm of sci-fi horror being pumped directly into your brain. Which is fitting as he even felt so inclined as to give us a final track named “The End Credits,” which absolutely fits that vibe of after the movie ends and you’re still left with many questions. 

Throughout the runtime, Kvig keeps the suspense up and avoids any feeling of repetitiveness. Each track is named Essens 1-7 with a unique subtitle to each. One of my standout favorites is “The Hurt” due to its integration of a haunting guest cello part and his use of distorted and ground-up vocal, like the words were sent through a meat processor and attempted to be reconstructed. The nosiest of all the tracks comes at the very beginning with “The Glitch,” which serves as a short, dark, and incomprehensible introduction to the adventure we are about to embark on rife with sawing noises and electronic grinds. For much of the rest of the album, we are treated to intensely atmospheric tracks that stand in contrast to the heavy noises of our introduction. 

Overall, Abstraktionens Essens is a rather subtly intense listen. There’s nothing here that will beat you over the head with its intensity, save for maybe our introduction. But it feels subtle and seething with a particular narrative that is kind of unexpected. Really, I just expected some cool industrial-adjacent noises and ambiance. But getting a mini-techno horror is quite nice surprise.