kakofoNIKT - "Dance Epidemic - Greatest Hits A.D. 1518"

kakofoNIKT

Patryk Lichota - synthesizers, samplers & sequencers, effects, soprano & tenor saxophone, Fender Bass VI
Hubert Wińczyk - synthesizer, sampler, field recordings on cd-j, drum machines, vocal

and Michał Joniec - ghost heart

Tytuł płyty: "Dance Epidemic - Greatest Hits A.D. 1518"

Wydawca: Antenna Non Grata (2021)

Autor tekstu: Viačeslavas Gliožeris

kakofoNIKT is a duo of electronics artists Patryk Lichota and Hubert Wińczyk. They both play synths, and samplers and use electronic effects. Additionally, Patryk plays saxophones and Fender Bass, and Hubert uses a drum machine and speaks words. Duo's last-to-date album „Dance Epidemic - Greatest Hits A.D. 1518„ is „an imaginary soundtrack to the events that took place in Strasbourg in 1518 during the massive poisoning of the city with hallucinogenic ergot in bread and the collective mania that took over the inhabitants“.

I am not sure (and don't really care) if the events mentioned above really happened in the past, or are same way imaginary as the soundtrack to them itself. More importantly, the listener gets the idea of what the music on this album is all about. True – it's a psychedelic electronics soundscape, scented with free improves' snippets and framed by heavy industrial rhythmical constructions.

Not all pieces are really dance-able, as the album's title promises. Still, the opener and, even more so, „Ergot Parade“sounds like parallel world's „Ultravox“ playing their „Dancing With Tears In My Eyes“ after a few months of residence in one of Amsterdam's clubs. Not bad at all.

From the poisoned night streets of Amsterdam, the duo switches towards dreamy cosmic loops with dozens of psychedelia. Guitar-less „Legendary Pink Dots“? Why not? "Muscle Memory" is an industrial piece with some lyrics („Hit me! Hit me with an ambulance! Hit me from behind“...) Sax solos of sorts are presented here as well. „Kolowrotek“ could fit organically on an alternative rock band's album. „Saint Vitus Ceremony“ is not an alternative electronics cover of Black Sabbath's „St. Vitus Dance“, being almost the same dark, it returns us to „Ultravox“ meets „Ministry“ territory.

„His Lone Slow Sleep (Grey Thoughts)“ contains lyrics as well („Somewhere in the Universe Someone is thinking straight His thoughts are very grey But sometimes grey means red“...), I can see the ghosts of „Berlin School's electronics“ behind the voice. „Salem telechos“ is full of complex sounds and noises over the minor tune. „Alsatian groove“ is another dance-able piece (sort of alt-ballet overture) with lyrics, which could be stated as the album's grand concept - „Dance with me I'm so lonely 'm so lonely tonight„.

„Konigin von Strassburg“ is a continuation of the ballet-like atmosphere, with some vocalization in Polish. „Jesters Mania “ returns us to the modern world of electronic soundtracks, quite dance-able as well. „Exhale the Matins “ covers the whole show with a slightly bombastic electronic finale.

This album for my ears sounds as if Frank Zappa recorded an electronic album in the New Millenium. One can find here elements of industrial, progressive rock, electronics (new and vintage), theatrical soundtracks, kraut-rock, alt-pop, a few free improvs, and much more. It can be fun listening for those a bit tired from their jazz.