Indie30 OUR SINS OF SONIC OMISSION #3: HOLODECK RECORDS

OUR SINS OF SONIC OMISSION #3: HOLODECK RECORDS – TROLLER

This post is the third in the three part Our Sins of Sonic Omission review series highlighting the 2016 releases by Austin label Holodeck Records that we, much to our chagrin, allowed to pass us by. For the context behind the series, go here.

Graphic, the second long player from Austin dark wave trio Troller, originally released back in early April this year, is a dense but multifarious affair that ventures from the employment of unwaveringly intense walls of sound that would strip paint to moments of introspective ambience. For the latter witness the track ‘Storm Maker’. Amber Star-Goers’ at once haunting yet angelic vocals and sepulchral sounding bass sit pensively underneath and alongside a versatile array of synthesisers played by her partner Justin Goers and S U R V I V E member and Holodeck luminary Adam Jones.

It’s the sense of uneasiness mixed with euphoria that renders Graphic so impressive as a musical work. This could have a rather disorienting effect on the listener but truth be told, the opposites that abound on the record set rather quickly to form a strangely cohesive hold. They do not grate against nor are they metaphorically symbiotic in the sense of eating away at each other. The metal laced double bass drum attack of ‘Sundowner’ along with the doom laden title track are perfect examples of this, one part noise, one part pop, one part metal, one part darkwave. On a macro level too, opposites attract where the overall creation of dark dissonant atmospherics collide full on with meticulous attention to detail in the employment of tripped out hooks and discordant harmonies. The space created in between is the silent glue holding both together.

The impressive aspect about all three Holodeck releases featured in this series is their oppositional character. Three very different musical documents that employ the duality and indeed multi-faceted approach each of the artists seek to live in life. Star-Goers and Jones stated the following to The Austin Chronicle about Graphic earlier this year;

“We’re always looking to create that tightrope balance in our music – equal parts unease and exhilaration. We don’t really want our audience to be unknowing bystanders when listening to our music, but instead to be both the victim and perpetrator in their own personal struggle.” Amber Star-Goers.

“Essentially we’re a pop band that wants to be heavy, like a prom queen gone goth. We like the weird, androgynous middle ground between horror and erotica, pleasure versus pain. You can totally enjoy our music as a collection of catchy tunes, but you cannot ignore how nasty our tones get.” Adam Jones.

Watch the videos for the the chaotic ‘Sundowner’, the tripped out ‘Not Here’ starring Louisianna Purchase (both directed by Melissa Cha) and the ambient ‘Storm Maker’ (directed by Sean Miller), Graphic is available in both vinyl and cassette formats here. Digital here.

Tracklist

1. Hellscape
2. Graphic
3. Not Here
4. They Body
5. Storm Review
6. Dryld
7. Nothing
8. Drug Dog
9. Sundowner
10. Torch