Top Bar
Musique Machine Logo Home ButtonReviews ButtonArticles ButtonBand Specials ButtonAbout Us Button
SearchGo Down
Search for  
With search mode in section(s)
And sort the results by
show articles written by  
 Review archive:  # a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Sigillum S - Studs And Divinity [Monochrom​e Vision - 2013]

Here’s a re-issue from the Russian Monochrome Vision label, with a pro-printed inlay adorned with a potted history of Sigillum S in English and Russian. Its a name that I recognise, but the liner notes certainly fill in the gaps in my knowledge. “Studs and Divinity”, one of Sigillum S’s earlier albums, was released on cassette back in 1989; it appears on cd here, digitally remastered and with bonus tracks.

I have to confess that on first listen, I found absolutely nothing of interest; but further listening opened the album out more to my ears. It does sound of its time: “Five Or Six Corpses”, with its spilling drum machine and synth stabs is somewhat throwaway and archaic. The beginning of “Night” features more dated keyboard stabs and “A Violin Is Kissing A Decomposed Listz” starts with more drum loops: it’s overwhelmingly these keyboard/synth and drum sounds and parts which date the album - though some of the effects used also sound a little old. “Plague Privilege Plug” combines these elements into a Wax Trax-esque effort, though noisier and less martial - ending in a beautiful slow-down that shines like scattered stars. In general, the more abrasive pieces fare worst than the more atmospheric, soundy attempts. The opening track, “Priesthood Of Whore Kaosdom”, is based around strong, whistling feedback tones (either via feedback or synth), underpinned by gloomy, reverberating synth bass and echoing clatter. Its an effectively unsettlingly piece of ambience. As is “Sharing Your Intimate Experience Alongside A Masochistic Matchmaker”, one of the extra tracks; this foregrounds brooding synths against distant clangs, to create a very dark, sinister tone. A crass comparison would be with some of the soundtrack work associated with Fulci’s zombie films.
 
This is a difficult album for me to offer much direction on. It clearly stands as a historical document, but one which I must admit I can’t put into too much context: my knowledge of that time period and Sigillum S themselves is fairly minimal. Listening to it as an album in itself, it does sound dated overall; though thats not a criticism as such. As I said above, the more atmospheric works on “Studs And Divinity” are very convincingly eerie and foreboding; definitely worth a listen. The one piece where perhaps they push too far in that direction, “Chewing A Just Used Condom In Her After Coming Bliss… Ageing And Death Of Masses”, becomes a weak, gothy, pseudo-classical dirge; before stretching into noisier climes. These noisier moments across the album achieve varying degrees of success, but the second track, “Two Miniskirted Scorpions Digitally Mating On A Platform”, is perhaps the most effective; featuring sheets of metallic sound stretched over churning synth gurgles. The whole album is very synth heavy, possibly in its favour; though there is a strummed, Eastern-sounding instrument used on “Draw The Spleen Of Divinity” - the only real moment of timbral change on “Studs And Divinity”. This is an album, I’m sure, that will be mainly listened to as a document in its historical context. In that respect, this album might excite you just from its title and date. For others, there are some wonderfully eerie pieces on here, alongside tracks which have dated less well. Those interested in early, synth-heavy noise and industrial should find much here to digest.

Rating: 3 out of 5Rating: 3 out of 5Rating: 3 out of 5Rating: 3 out of 5Rating: 3 out of 5

Martin P
Latest Reviews

Sigillum S - Studs And Divinity
Here’s a re-issue from the Russian Monochrome Vision label, with a pro-printed inlay adorned with a potted history of Sigillum S in English and Russian. Its ...
270324   Jerzy Skolimowski Collection ...
260324   Latex Choker - Sealed
260324   Occlusion - 59: No Input Wall
260324   Nihil Impvlse - Anabasis
260324   Marta Forsberg - Sjunger För...
260324   The New Boy - The New Boy( Th...
250324   The Stargazer’s Assistant - ...
250324   Liza Lim - Annunciation Trip...
220324   Patrick - Patrick( UHD/ Blu Ray)
220324   Dadawah - Peace And Love
Latest Articles

Sutcliffe No More - Normal Everyd...
Sutcliffe No More are a British two-piece bringing together Kevin Tomkins & Paul Taylor. Formed in 2021, it’s the spin-off project/ next sonic step...
290224   Sutcliffe No More - Normal Ev...
100124   Occlusion - The Operation Is...
181223   Best Of 2023 - Music, Sound &...
051223   Powerhouse Films - Of Magic, ...
181023   IO - Of Sound, Of Art, Of Exp...
210923   Lucky Cerruti - Of Not so Fri...
290823   The Residents - The Trouble W...
110723   Yotzeret Sheydim Interview - ...
250523   TenHornedBeast - Into The Dee...
050523   Bill Morroni - The Trials & ...
Go Up
(c) Musique Machine 2001 -2023. Twenty two years of true independence!! Mail Us at questions=at=musiquemachine=dot=comBottom