Artist: Demdike Stare Album: Tryptych

Year: 2011
Duration: 0:0-1

Demdike Stare's Tryptych: A Dark and Experimental Sensation

The underground spectrum of electronic music has birthed some of the most experimental, avant-garde, and genre-defying artists of all time. The British duo, Demdike Stare, stands out among them for their ability to transcend the limits of sound and immerse the listeners in a surreal musical journey. Their Tryptych album is a testament to their captivating, mystifying, and intricate sonic palette that explores the depths of ambient, industrial, techno, and dub. In this critical review, we will delve into the history of Demdike Stare, the music genre of the Tryptych album, the best songs, the most innovative parts, and a critique of the album.

Demdike Stare was formed in 2009 by Miles Whittaker and Sean Canty, who used to work at a record shop in Manchester. The moniker is derived from the name of two 17th-century witches, Elizabeth Southerns and Anne Whittle, who were accused of witchcraft and subsequently known as Demdike and Chattox. The duo's fascination with dark folklore, obscure vinyl, and primitive atmospheres reflects in their music, which mixes traditional instruments, field recordings, and vintage hardware for an eerie and otherworldly feel. Their discography includes numerous albums, EPs, and singles, each showcasing a different aspect of their experimental approach to electronic music.

The Tryptych album is a triple LP that was released in 2011 by Modern Love, a label that specializes in leftfield electronic music. The album consists of three parts, each exploring a different aspect of Demdike Stare's sound. The first part, titled Forest of Evil, evokes an imaginary landscape of haunting forests, ritualistic chants, and spectral choirs. The second part, Voices of Dust, delves into a more ambient and introspective mood, with ethereal melodies, distant echoes, and metallic resonances. The third part, Triptych, fuses the previous two parts into a hypnotic and rhythmical journey, with pulsating beats, distorted basslines, and abstract soundscapes. Overall, the Tryptych album is a cohesive and immersive experience that rewards repeated listens and a deep focus on the intricate details of each track.

The best songs of the album are subjective, but a few stand out for their distinctiveness and impact. Forest of Evil (Dusk) is a mesmerizing opener that sets the tone for the rest of the album, with its eerie drones and distant whispers. Hashshashin Chant is a dark and brooding track that features a haunting sample of a Muezzin call to prayer amidst industrial clatter and distorted bass. Regolith is a hypnotic and menacing track that builds up from distant screams to a thunderous beat and a wailing siren. Caged in Stammheim is a tribute to the infamous prison in West Germany where the Baader-Meinhof group was held, and it delivers a sense of claustrophobia and despair through its metallic clangs and oppressive drones. Mephisto's Lament is a serene and melancholic track that closes the album with a gentle piano melody and ethereal vocals.

The most innovative parts of the album are the ones that blur the boundaries between different genres and create a unique sonic identity. Demdike Stare's use of field recordings, ethnic instruments, and lo-fi samples gives the album a sense of authenticity and rawness that contrasts with the polished sound of contemporary electronic music. The duo's ability to conjure up vivid and surreal images through their music is also noteworthy, as they transport the listeners to a realm of dark imagination that is both fascinating and unsettling. The Tryptych album's structure as a triple LP also adds to its value as a cohesive and adventurous journey that spans different moods and styles.

A critique of the album is not easy, as Demdike Stare's music is meant to test the limits of what is acceptable and conventional in electronic music. However, some listeners might find the album too dark, esoteric, or challenging to enjoy on a casual level. The lack of clear structures and melodies might also alienate some listeners who prefer more conventional song structures. Nevertheless, these criticisms are also part of the album's strengths, as they show Demdike Stare's commitment to pushing the boundaries of electronic music and creating a unique and uncompromising artistic vision.

In conclusion, Demdike Stare's Tryptych album is a dark, experimental, and immersive experience that showcases the duo's unique approach to electronic music. The album blends ambient, industrial, techno, and dub influences to create a sonic landscape that is both haunting and captivating. The best songs of the album are Forest of Evil (Dusk), Hashshashin Chant, Regolith, Caged in Stammheim, and Mephisto's Lament, each showcasing a different aspect of Demdike Stare's sound. The most innovative parts of the album are its use of field recordings, ethnic instruments, and lo-fi samples that add to its authentic and raw feel. Criticisms of the album might include its esoteric and challenging nature, but these are also part of its strengths, as they embody Demdike Stare's commitment to pushing the envelope of electronic music. Overall, the Tryptych album is an essential addition to any experimental electronic music collection and a testament to the creative potential of musical experimentation.

In conclusion, Demdike Stare's Tryptych album is a dark, experimental, and immersive experience that showcases the duo's unique approach to electronic music. The album blends ambient, industrial, techno, and dub influences to create a sonic landscape that is both haunting and captivating. The best songs of the album are Forest of Evil (Dusk), Hashshashin Chant, Regolith, Caged in Stammheim, and Mephisto's Lament, each showcasing a different aspect of Demdike Stare's sound. The most innovative parts of the album are its use of field recordings, ethnic instruments, and lo-fi samples that add to its authentic and raw feel. Criticisms of the album might include its esoteric and challenging nature, but these are also part of its strengths, as they embody Demdike Stare's commitment to pushing the envelope of electronic music. Overall, the Tryptych album is an essential addition to any experimental electronic music collection and a testament to the creative potential of musical experimentation.