Asseptic Room - Visceralofobia

If any band could sum up their portfolio with a single song, Carlos' "Asseptic Room" has done it, with "Human With Radiation". The mere notion enables an uneasy, much-maligned image. If said image was put to music, it would be very minimal and full of despair.

Since parting from previous act "Dioxyde", Carlos Ruiz has built up a reputation for composing minimal Dark Electro - a concept which a very small number of artists are creating; mainly because it's a very niche and bleak sound, but a lot of the reasoning for this exodus simply HAS to be because it's insanely difficult to do this and keep the listeners attention for over an hour. Since the first album, "Morbid Visions" was released in 2006, there's been a long wait, and there was a point where I didn't expect to hear anymore from this act - "Visceralofobia" has hit me like a bolt from the blue, and I can see straight away that little has changed.


Although i'm not hugely au fait with the definitions of the project and album titles, I understand enough to see that there is an obsession with gore, blood, and Biology - one hinted at time and time again with song titles such as "Red Sludge" and "Skin and Bones".

The aforementioned "Human With Radiation" is the first track on here, and at 6:40 seconds, Carlos is still content to make songs that are both long and entertaining - the first album was full of these, and despite it being quite a risk for music that's more minimal that you might like to care for, the package and idea of Asseptic Room manages to draw the listener to this project, like a needle would draw a stitch across the skin.

How does someone persuade a newcomer to check out a project like this? Well, firstly without a doubt, fans of the much-loved Dioxyde project will flock to this like Ants at a picnic - the sickness, the whole feel of shutting down physically and mentally is present, and the slow tempo is executed well enough to make this album suitable for important tasks like checking your e-mails, making a coffee, and more appropriately, blowing your head right off of your spine.

Time and time again, I've highlighted the negative feelings and psyche that Dark Electro can convey, and time and time again, I've watched people ask why on earth it appeals. This is not something I can convert you to - you either understand Dark Electro, or you don't, but much in the same way that music can take you to a standstill, give you goosebumps, and send you soaring through the sky like a Phoenix, it can also use the same power to bring out the exact opposite, and when an album makes you sweat, shiver, and feel like Jesus at the Last Supper, you have to applaud the talent behind it, whether you can relate to this kind of atmosphere, or not.

Just in case you had questions about whether or not the album picks up, indeed it does. "Falsas Palabras" for example, is more quirky, with a faster beat and a less disregarding melody to it. It could almost be a sea shanty played on the Accordion, in comparison to other tracks.

Finally, I extend a personal congratulation to Carlos, who after a 5 year hiatus, has returned, and like those pesky Krakens in lore and mythology, has completely flayed my mind.

16 tracks, over an hour. Can you survive a dark night with Carlos Ruiz? Aug 06 2011