Mvtant - Gore / Mirrorshade

First of all I'll have to thank fellow contributor and colleague Miles Jones for his suggestion that I check out Mvtant, an industrial project that recently re-released their EPs "Gore" and "Mirrorshade" via record label Somatic. Without him, I would have never discovered this seemingly out-of-place in time raw project. I say that as the EP was recorded, and I quote from Somatic's Bandcamp page, "using a 16 track reel-to-reel and mixed and mastered to cassette tape. No computers were used in the process of making this record." No computers. No additional processing. Yes, it was remixed and remastered for this specific release but fact remains that Mvtant is one hell of a talented individual. 

Now, as I said, Mvtant has re-released their two EPs via Somatic as a double on one cassette with "Gore", which was initially written and recorded between 2016 to 2018, taking over the first half and "Mirrorshade", which was written and recorded in 2018 dominating the second half. The split kicks off with the title track of 'Gore' which can easily be described as a menacing digestion of industrial horror. A slow beat featuring slightly altered vocals over clanging metal, cries from afar, and a steady background of working ambiance gives this song an altogether ominous mood. 



'Touch' has grim undertones with a stompy EBM beat emerging forth as the song goes on with textural noise once more implemented to stellar results. 'Floods Pt I' is a brief intermission track which sounds like it would be found on a long lost record of Lovecraftian proportions. Drowned out cries, cinematic synths, and noise all placate this song, however, the noise found within is quite peaceful and not damaging to the ears whatsoever. 'Floods Pt II', then, is basically what would happen if an industrial musician was asked to create a song by sampling a machine factory. It's oddly harsh but sedative at the same time even when Mvtant purges his lungs by screaming. It's a disgustingly blissful vacation from the norm. The last song that's part of "Gore" is 'Dunes' which once more shows off Mvtant's mastery of synthesizers. It's a very quiet song, hypnotic in its rhythm and perhaps one of the more poetic bouts of industrial strength found on the EP. 

One thing I would like to point out before heading directly into "Mirrorshade" is that even though both EPs are listed separately, it's easy enough to hear that both these products came from the same producer. In fact, I'd argue that "Mirrorshade" and "Gore" compliment each other well enough to the point where all the songs on this split release sound as if they'd belong on the same album. This continuation and flow is what makes "Gore / Mirrorshade" an absolute delight to hearken. 

"Mirrorshade" kicks off with 'Purification Rites' which once again sees Mvtant playing around with what sounds like factory noises and chaotic ambiance leading to a rough and relentlessly structured song. The title track of this EP 'Mirrorshade' sounds like Mvtant took inspiration from electro-industrial legends whilst keeping his own formula alive and well. Cleaner vocals and a cleaner beat that's not as raw as previous efforts on the entirety of the release made this track breathtaking. 'Everything Became Corporeal' slows pace once more allowing each beat, sample, and electronic wonder to creep under my skin one at a time causing gorgeous frisson across my body. The last song on the release is 'The Shadowflesh Circuitry' which falls under experimental nature with noises that sound like they want to continue but are stuck in repetition; the effect is not annoying but rather fits with what Mvtant does. 

In the beginning of this writing, I stated that Mvtant sounded out-of-place in time. This EP does not sound like it was recorded recently but back in the 1980's when industrial pioneers were making a name for the genre. This time travelling effort that Mvtant has produced thus sounds like it should stand with the glorified industrial sagas of the past. It sounds as if this EP stood the test of time and should be a heralded album that all fans of this dark electronic scene will praise and worship. But, the best part about all of this is that's what it should be. This is only the start of Mvtant's career and, God damn, this industrial wizard has shown their mechanical heart working in full strength. 'Gore / Mirrorshade' is a damned near perfect industrial album. It's addictive and hard to stop listening to; everytime it ends I want to hit the play button again and that's why I'm claiming this as my favorite album of the year so far. 
Aug 31 2019