Compiling songs from various self-released cassettes, Selected Works I: Still Suns features a selection of Christian Dubé's work from between 2008 and 2011. Working heavily with cheap and damaged equipment, Rei Rea’s sound seems steeped most heavily in the noise world, with some more rhythmic elements slipping in to keep things original in an overpopulated genre.
When "Duchess" first started, I was not sure what to expect from the tape, with an over-driven surge that borrowed as much from the intentionally low fidelity world of black metal as it did to the redlining bass and feedback of contemporary power electronics.Even when what at least resembled some sort of heavily processed, demonic voice samples dropped in to darken everything even more, it still was sitting somewhere on the fence between those two (admittedly related) genres.
As the tape played on, I found more in league with the electronics and industrial side of things, which is more my speed anyway.The quivering noise layers and shuffling, creeping pace of "Deader" instantly reminded me of Mind Control-era Genocide Organ, and even more so once the floor rattling kick drum sets in.While maybe not quite as closely, but the rhythmic synth pulse and slow burn of "Tres Mal" has the same feel throughout it.
The remainder is less specifically identifiable but shows influence from the early days of both industrial and harsh noise.The muffled, disjointed drum machine of "Throne of Papa" when paired with the out of tune distorted synth is not all that removed from the classic SPK works, and the distorted vacuum cleaner and junk metal banging of "Caco" comes across equally Test Dept and Merzbow in its approach."Rain Plaine" presents an overall more open, ambient feel to it, but what could be an ugly, noisy bit of brass instrumentation and crashes of noise keeps it from being placid in any way.
Other pieces have Dubé reigning the aggression just a bit and going in a somewhat different direction.The short "Slow Ipex" has the same lo-fi din as the rest of the compilation does, but grimy, shimmering tones and textures shine through here and there, giving it a slightly less ugly and oppressive feel.The distorted guitar of "Omal" might be a bit nastier in its sound, but the remainder of the piece is also more expansive and reflective.
Rei Rea is pretty damn prolific as best as I can tell, so this compilation functions as an ideal jumping in point. Looking at the multitude of releases he has issued since 2005, I do wonder how the quality control is overall, but the eight pieces compiled here are exemplary in their structuring and composition.Still Suns has just the right amount of noise and dissonance, but enough form and organization to give it a distinct identity.
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