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By : Michael Mambrino
7 min read
Welcome to the May edition of Experimental Excursion! This month we have three treasured releases from some rhythmic masterminds and ambient aficionados:
Cauldron, Metal Tiger.
The first thing that came to mind when listening to Cauldron was how crunchy and gritty the digital percussion was paired with the analog synths. Somerville-based instrumental, experimental hip-hop producer Metal Tiger was on my radar for a short while, and diving into Cauldron did not leave me disappointed in the slightest. With wavy and grimey synths and pulsing drum machines this groovy EP / MiniAlbum is not to be slept on. On every track we are introduced to innovative loops and creative ideas eloquently displayed on each track. Some tracks utilize industrial hip-hop tones and some others combine lo-fi hip hop with high fidelity synthwave and the result is a great collection of beats that can’t be missed.
Into The Abyss, Old Forrest.
Gloomy ambience and depressive synthesis embody Into the Abyss. Listening to Into the Abyss is like absorbing yourself into a bleak and ominous atmosphere, fully encapsulated into the void. Providence-based Old Forrest is a relatively new project that I was fully aware of its existence and development for some time now. While mystic and somber, this three-track EP isn’t completely void from its bright and luminous moments. Into the Abyss is truly a paradox of its own creation being sinister and angelic simultaneously. Somewhat like a celestial cavity or void, it leaves the listener feeling hollow yet filled with remnants of curiosity and introspection as the tracks go on. If you’re in the mood for something that’ll leave you intrigued and slightly depleted (in a positive manner) I would give Old Forrest a listen.
I like my vine print handbag, Marcy the Baptist.
Mastermind of musique concrete and breakcore, Marcy the Baptist has blown away audiences and listeners with off the wall performance vocals and instrumentals. On this upcoming EP we are met with explosive charges of synth lines and bass boosted vocals that go harder than asphalt. Texturally pleasing sounds while producing jagged and rugged results in this amazing EP I had the pleasure of listening to early, directly from the artist.
I will end this edition of Experimental Excursion with a thank you to every experimental artist and all you readers out there who make this column possible. Peace out.
—Michael Mambrino
Originally published in-print in Boston Compass Newspaper #169 May 2024
Check out all the art and columns of May’s Boston Compass at www.issuu.com/bostoncccompass