Stegm - 'Harm Reduction' 12"/C-35

1. (mp3 excerpt)
2.
3. (mp3 excerpt)

released 22 May 2008
12" limited edition of 20 copies - SOLD OUT
C-35 limited edition of 100 copies - AVAILABLE

Reviews

Utilizing a pounding, staggering drum machine pattern and a voice sample possibly extracted from a black mass, this work from Canadian Ryan Bloomer begins in a magnificently sinister location. These two elements are placed within a structure of simple repeated synth gurgles; truly ominous sweeps of distorted oscillation. Movement is repeatedly brought to an absolute halt, before once again lurching into existence for another loop. Following this imposing initiation, rhythm is marked largely by repeated synthesizer undulations rather than drum patterns, the second and third pieces fluctuating from bleak and brooding dirges to malevolent phantom waves.
Taken from Total Scum Materials

Overall Rating: B+
Composition: B
Sounds: B+
Production Quality: B
Concept: B
Packaging: B+
After hearing the Sugar Shower LP on Freak Animal and his track on the Like A Frog In Winter LP+7" compilation on Hospital Productions, I had to seek out more Stegm material. The furious sexual tension of Sugar Shower (led with vocals by none other than Prurient's Dominic Fernow) and monolithic power electronics dirge of The Gift on the Hospital compilation got me excited to hear what else Stegm produces. Harm Reduction however distances itself from the jagged synthesizer assault of Suger Shower and the heavy oppressive vibes of the compilation track that I enjoyed so much. As per usual, Cipher Productions are at the top of their game with the packaging of this release with screenprinted clear cassettes and a fancy 5" sealable package.
Needless to say that whilst this cassette is far from what I had heard before, this is still some heavy and oppressive industrial music that does me just right. With three tracks total, two on side A and the final on side B, this is 35 minutes of pure industrial dirge. Track one focuses on some cold and sluggish industrial rhythm fueled by slow pounding drum machines perfectly paired with dark synthesizers. Held together with fractured undercurrents of drone, the combination is excellent to say the least. As the work develops it becomes a militant march, on and off as it is often brought to an end to build up once again. The second offering is an example of absolute synthesizer worship. Throbbing and aspiring drones shine and shimmer through phases of sweeping electronics, both beautiful as well as engaging, that ends up in a ditch of blackened sound.
Finishing off Harm Reduction is another synth-only track. Rather than creating a expanding soundscape, Stegm utilises the sounds to create crushing loops and bassy escalations. Think along the lines of some of Atrax Morgue's material, equally basic as it is stark and isolating, stopping only to unleash more morbid sounds. Harm Reduction is a great release, but my only complaint is that It does at times feel as though something is missing. The excellent vocals on The Gift would have been just right for this and would have peaked this release to it's full potential.
Taken from Tommuel