Needlewire - Ratking EP

You may recognise this act from the previous two lps, and two eps, recorded under the name n.e.e.d.[le].w.i.r.e. A lot has changed since the evolution of Dominik's project - the majority of the previous four releases are now unavailable (the entire catalogue was up for free download on the band site), and the past recordings have been faded to ashes. If you are able to ever get hold of the first album, 'Human Erased', I highly advise you to do so.

'Ratking' opens the door to a new style of Needlewire's collective influence, and is heavily fused with IDM inspired moments.

'Dcmpse' kicks us off with a semi ambient number, and very much like the title, makes us think of a guy in the sewer, controlling the vermin. It has a very underground style acoustic to it.

'Afternoon at Midnight' is deeply, deeply embedded in the IDM style, and weighs heavily between LPF12 and Carbon Lifeforms, It even has haunting moments reminscent of Stendeck, and considering that very fond of Dominik's earlier, harsh work, I couldn't comprehend this level of interest in the newer sound. I could happily call this textbook stuff, it's beautifully written with weaves, loops, various other sounds that I'm not technical enough to name, but the identity is there - this artist knows what he is doing, and he has produced one of the most accessible IDM albums I've heard in ages - I liked every second of this from the moment it started.

Our title track is both regal and procession like; a clever touch which personifies the 'Ratking' and draws your attention to him as a central antagonist (protagonist?) to which this EP is accredited. This track is much darker, and has whispering, commanding vocals, making this concept potent enough to be tangible - it's not dissimilar to a darker, more perverted version of the Pied Piper.

We go full circle, as 'Albyno' is a short, calming interlude that could effectively divide the Ratking EP into two tales - 'Rise' and 'Decline'. It's a cleverly placed track that leaves the listener keen to know what comes after the break.

'Immergrau' starts with a thirty second ambient effect that sounds like a violent wind blowing, and is led into an accompaniment that builds up very slowly, becomes a faster, danceable piece, with signatures and patterns that I just cannot fault. It's easily the best track on 'Ratking', and further cements the strength of Needlewire in 2011.

'btrayal' is a bit heavier, and like my earlier theory, almost plays out the demise of the Ratking, and whether this was intended to be a concept EP or not, it works very well as one.

The final track is a remix of 'Ratking' by Tobias' Hopp's "Mortal Void" - an act that I'm fast enjoying more and more, and would dearly love the chance to review again. It takes the majestic sound of the original and rewrites it via a more sorrowful, much cleaner outlook.

The fact that this EP is absolutely free is just splendid, and this release is unmissable.

Hail the Ratking! Jan 31 2012