Monday, August 31, 2015

Niko Scorpio- Book of Flies Review


Niko Scorpio is a multidisciplinary artist from Finland, who works in the mediums of sound, photography, film, and dance. He's produced a metric shitload of experimental albums but this, as far as I know, is his only live work.

I was attracted to it based on its concepts, more specifically its packaging. Originally disclosed in 2004, Book of Flies was released in a hand-made addition of 13 copies, each housed in an ancient book, repainted for the new use.

I found this to be a remarkable joint abuse/embrace of the concept of seminal books, a statement, perhaps, of disparagement for the old and the dead.

I hoped dearly that the music would be as outstanding and interesting as the themes of the release. Fortunately, this ended up being the case. Book of Flies is a beautiful dark ambient piece chock full of dynamics and beauty.

It begins with the sound of wind, timeless like the speech of the old ones, synthesizer notes buried under the fogs. Electronic bleeps and bloops to remind us that this is, indeed music being made by a person. I found this section so relaxing and stimulating that, honestly, I forgot that I was supposed to be taking notes for a review.

Soon an organic, sensual rythm, played on what is presumably two rocks, joins in. The track begins to take shape around this rythm, synth lines and pure noise morphing into this pulsating, gyrating beast. It's truly hypnotic.

The song ends as it begins, with whisps of windy noise.

This is a good album to celebrate the death of an old regime, perhaps. Who knows, it might make you want to burn some books.

it can be found here


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