Paradox Obscur - Morphogenesis

Over the years I have routinely explored Paradox Obscur's growing list of releases. With each release both Kriistal Ann and Toxic Razor invite us into another darkened corridor of their evolving sound. The duo's machinations for next album finally come to be. The artists always demonstrated a consistent solid working chemistry that comes to life through a carefully crafted organic method intermingled with a passion for hardware and real time recording techniques. Paradox Obscur move forward while tampering with doorways into shadowy otherworldly manifestations of sound and design. 

2020 saw the release of Synoesis, an album that helped many of us endure the great plague and its wake of depression and personal hardships. It was certainly an album I turned to often during the isolated times. The ritualistic churning rhythms of "Abeyance" was a lure to keep this track in heavy rotation. The synths gently drag their waveforms through your body's sensory points. Of course "Inferno" was another favorite track that really stood out for me. It was even released as a limited cassette remix single. So many great songs to lose yourself in. The CD version houses a few extra remix tracks of "Fester" and Reflexe". As I gazed into the ether, I wondered if Paradox Obscur hit their pinnacle moment with Synoesis? It was my favorite chapter at the point of its release in 2020. Suddenly 2022  is upon us and things seem to be moving in a better direction and the promo kit for Morphogenesis hits my in box, and, wait for it, wait........wait! Oh, I completely overlooked it. There it sat for months. Thankfully, I was made aware of it, again I say thankfully because, this is now the new pinnacle moment for Paradox Obscur. 

Metropolis Records took interest in Paradox Obscur and released the CD/LP version of Morphogenesis and previously the Singles & Rarities CD giving the US market a chance to easily pick this up in your favorite music store or order domestically given the shipping can be a long, unpredictable and expensive process any time crossing oceans are involved following a global pandemic. Metropolis has a long history of releasing some of the biggest names in electro industrial. In the last few years they brought in She Past Away, Then Comes Silence, Statiquebloom and Paradox Obscur showing even more diversity and willingness to expand and promote worthy underground established artists. So, props to Metropolis!  


Both Toxic Razor and Kriistal have an obsession with classic sounds along with synthesizers and real time recording techniques, which means they don't use PCs to process the sound. It goes back to that organic feel they generate. The layering of sound is as methodical and fastidious as it gets. The tracks have moderately paced tempos with swirling backing layers and the synths flutter like the linnet's wings. Within each of the tracks there is a gentle balance of expectation, surprise and delight which is a welcomed treat with each subsequent release from Paradox Obscur. Initially listeners may come to the conclusion that this is a mix of darkened synthpop meets 80's coldwave with tracks like "Cocoon", Stellaire", "Evo-Devo", "Wild Silk" and "Pollar".  That would be fair a place to start for those in need of a point of reference, but it's probably a better move to listen and decide for yourself. The music and vocals are seductive and enticing while paired with a sense of mystery. Kriistal Ann nourishes every track with her signature powerful vocal skills. Her voice is easily recognizable as it blends style and execution with a sense of beauty and sophistication. At times the vocals feel like pieces of a conversation that often transition into brilliant melodies showcasing the wider ranges that Kriistal Ann is known for. "Animal Reactor" and "Krankes Herz" take hold of a contemporary EBM vibe. Again those backing layers really elevate these tracks from straightforward EBMish influences to a hybrid the unifies EBM with that 80's coldwave arch. "Monoclone" and "In Vitro" offer a more techno influenced approach that fuse the foundational staples of Paradox Obscur's sound with outside influences breathing more uniqueness into the end result. Both Kriistal Ann and Toxic Razor are involved in many side projects and collaborations spanning many styles and genres which ultimately leads us to Morphogenesis. 


If you slept on Paradox Obscur for a while, Morphogenesis is a great place to rekindle the relationship. Checkout out their music here. Peruse Metropolis Records for more information on purchasing Morphogenesis and Singles & Rarities releases. For those that want to penetrate deeper into the roots of Paradox Obscur head over to Werkstatt Recordings. There you find information on Kriistal Ann and Toxic Razor's long list solo projects and collaborations. On a side note, an early classic track from Paradox Obscur's first self-titled album "Grieving Days" finds its way into the soundtrack for Denis Cote's That Kind Of Summer  which premiered at the 72nd Berlin International Film Festival. Again Morphogenesis is where it's at now. This is not to be overlooked!!!

Jun 26 2022