Shxcxchcxsh thrive off anonymity – this along with their twisted, industrial sound has enabled the Swedish duo to carve out for themselves an ominous and ethereal presence in the techno world.
Word, their latest EP dropped by Rotterdam based label Mord, certainly fits this bill. It is menacing and industrial to the point of feeling almost unnerving. Their intricate layering of rhythm, ambience, and distortion effectively provides overtones of darkness and paranoia throughout. This trademark sound becomes most poignant during their live performances.
In maintaining their anonymity, they shroud their heads in loose-fitting hoods and obscure their faces, so that when up on stage they appear as silhouettes: spectral voids that are quite literally haunting the room. Remaining as unidentified shadows also means the music becomes the main focus for onlookers, allowing the hypnotic matrix of white noise to disorientate and mesmerise.
The murky and minimalist sound of Word will certainly provide a fitting atmosphere for these hair-raising sets.
