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THE ABSOLUTENEGATIVISM PROJECT

It’s no secret that lines have been drawn, and that flags and gang colors are waved in the small but rigidly divided Oslo music scene. As forward-going or radical many of these bands or “artists” profess—there exists for example, the Elm Street/Garage axis, loosely made of punks and lesbians, groupies and glam rockers, old-school metal heads and their foes (in shredded Motley Crue T-Shirt or faded sleeves), as well as what almost seems like a response to the notorious Satanic or black metal wave-a network of musicians shrouded in a kind of mysterious Christian routing, like Serena-Maneesh to Extol to Lionheart Brothers-to the horde of youngsters mimicking this gypsy-like aesthetic, bracelets, tambourines, eyeliner, a quasi-throwback to Seattle 1992-to the usual alcoholics, the deterrents costumed in tight fitting designer suits- the gothic art-house wannabes straggling around Spasibar—the suave indie-kids slamming their gaseous beers down at Mono (the same people who would typically neverasmuch nod, hands crossed, if their favorite performer were on stage).

Oslo’s been referred to as a “subcultural ground zero”. I think there are many who blatantly deny any participation within a scene, but even less are those actually equipped with originality to do so. Of course, there is always the problem of any new form or individuality becoming immediately rigified, or scenes coming out of non-scenes. But for collaborators [concept.virus] aka Stian Skagen and Årabrot, their poses an even greater problem, as with this debut release that straddles the line between a desire for autonomy, the avant-garde (as many of their jazz-electro-noise counterparts follow) versus the pure physicality of rock’n’roll that just wanna be adored. With this goal in mind, it’s no wonder they’ve yet to find a suitable label to call home.

One thing is for sure, however, there is nothing “hip” or “glossy” about this record, and any label looking to sell image over content ought to look elsewhere. This EP is risky, challenging, and in many ways tracing a musical becoming. The songs carry a distinct format throughout, one that is experienced, archaic even (think Satie, Cage), and clearly knows how to utilize difficult musical languages. But its amalgamation of sounds is less like a collage, then a tightly controlled battleground. The intro “I am driven by the flame that shaped us” immediately signals to the listener a warning call, a hallucination of what is to come—something colossal, something very material, fleshly, palpable. Thus announces Årabrot’s arrival, with an outcry as hot-blooded as the Birthday Party’s sermons, as sludgy as an Unsane-riff, and as sprawling as Mayhem’s blast beats. The song segues into a long, black, landscape portrait, and after awhile is reminded of that Acid Mothers’ interlude with its unsettling tones and triggers wrapping in and against its theme. Steady, consistent, focused. Its demise finally, is not too dissimilar to a Lynchian-moment when commotion and clarity evolve toward total unanimity, and ends in an open-ended manner.

What I find most appealing in this EP is not necessarily the technicality in their musicianship or the complexity of the overall song structure—though those elements are surely there—but the overlapping between what is harsh and difficult, and the pristine and subtle. Something unique arises from this operation, like driftwood, pieces ejected outta turbulent waves or troubled sailing. Unlike so many who try to transcend their audiences with smothering guitars, overproduction and make-up, [concept.virus] and the Årabrot team take materiality in a whole different direction, pushing what is sonically possible to its limits, stripping down its elements to become both reactionary and meaningful.

I think this EP speaks volumes about their potential as well as their vision. I am equally certain that with the necessary aid of the right parties they’ll be able to properly unleash this opus they’ve now begun. Hopefully it won’t be too long before that is the case—Oslo (and the world beyond) certainly needs to hear it. ann lee 08

VonMünchhausen wrote:njæsh, funker ikke for meg det her. kanskje om noen år, når jeg blir stor og kul.

Skrappar wrote:Jeg? Det stemmer.

Skrappar wrote:

Rintrah wrote:Meiner du Revolver? Skjønner ikkje kor du vil med negrane dine, då.

Revolver, ja. Som sagt, negersted! Det henger negre der som stjeler øl. Bl.a. min øl. Je ble sint. Ville slåss. Fant ut at knivnegre ikke er optimale motstandere, spesielt med dårlig oppbacking. Ikke ble dem kasta ut heller. Så jeg gikk. Sint. Forulempet. Blodfull. Born again rasist. Tror jeg sa til ene negeren at jeg kom til å stemme Frp takket være han, haha!

Men, som sagt, jeg leste ikke det som sto der, lurte bare hva dem ville fram til... Takk for oppklaringa! Om Årabrot vil være musikkundergrunnens Mahatma Ghandi, så er det bare fett, det. Je hadde syntes musikken var tøff sjøl om dem var nazi pedoer med Siv Jensen-fetish.

Skrappar wrote: