Review: Elastik – 'Rework'

ELASTIK
'Rework'
KOMA RECORDS

French electro/dark-ambient band Elastik last emerged to release the torturous melancholic 'Instrumental EP' with its heavy use of orchestral instrumentation. They quickly receded into the shadows once more and have now prepared their latest EP offering in the form of 'Rework'.

It's no less sinister, although opting for a purer synthesized electro sound that makes good use of dance beats and ebm flirtations, the use of spoken vocals of Horor 4o4 on the first track 'Aporie' preserves the dark malice of its predecessor. While the trip-hop vibes of Malika's vocal contribution to the dance-orientated 'Cage' creates an end result is akin to Enigma discovering electro-industrial.

The EP throws a curve ball dark hip-hop style of 'Nexus' complete with the rap vocals of Hellby, who sounds like a cross between Saul Williams and Nivek Ogre... which isn't a bad thing. The EP is then rounded off by they spacey, ambient t instrumental 'Vapeur', which opts to let it's tinny trip-hop beats and delay-laden synths do the vocalising.

This is another great and varied EP from the elusive French band. It is dark, danceable and most importantly very memorable. Hopefully full-length album number three is just around the corner to give us a more satisfying taste of their talent.  

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Review: Elastik - 'Instrumental E.P.'

ELASTIK 
'Instrumental EP' 
KOMA RECORDS 

There are bands that purposefully cultivate an aura of mystery, to make their music more exclusive and themselves more credible. Then there are other artists who keep their presence to a minimum, ceasing to exist outside their albums, or sometimes even within them. Elastik are the latter. Without much of a social media presence, a sparse website containing just the facts and no pictures of the artist (or artists?) or even their names, there is nothing to judge them on except their music and desire to remain hidden. This elusiveness only adds to the atmosphere of their music.

'Instrumental' is six tracks of beautifully crafted horror. Classical instruments, keys and synths work in fractured harmony to create perfect gothic haunted house music. This is not the spooky cabaret stuff that seems to be everywhere at the moment, this is Danny Elfman's scarier little brother who lives under the stairs. With an orchestra.

Although three of the tracks are taken from the first two albums (Metalik and Critik) they are simply called 'Instru 1' and 'Instru 2' etc. They range from ambient, creeping, whispers in the attic to the darker, relentless footsteps of some malevolent force.While their previous releases feature some vocals and samples, this instrumental EP is no less accessible and no less effective. Torturous pleasure to listen to.

www.elastik.fr

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