Karlheinz Essl’s free online album SNDT®X is one of the more exciting releases in the electronic/electro-acoustic field that I’ve heard in a long time. Surprisingly easy to listen to yet avant-garde, it is a primer on experimental electronic music complete with drones, found sounds, sampling and much more. The title alludes to the cinematic texture of this sound art. Most of these tracks were created to accompany a film, performance, or art piece.

The opening track, “Father Earth” is a pulsing mix of guitar and electronics reminding me of a subway or train station. I am also reminded of Glenn Branca’s minimalist walls of guitars at some points. The 13 minute “Action Rituale” combines computers and religious chants into an intensely spiritual experience. As mentioned before, some works such as “Carl Mayer Scenar(t)ist” and “Balkonszene” are soundtracks meant for films or art performances. While most of these pieces are droning or minimalist, “PENDENTE” stands out for its melodic beauty. “Sonnez la Clochil” is based on the sound of a bell while “Decontructing Mozart” does exactly that, pulling apart the composer’s music into a post-modern nightmare. The tracks go on, each one giving new insighst to the state of organized sound. This is an excellent example of the experimental and avant-garde and much more accessible than the novice might think at first listen. Give it a few tries. It will grow on you.

The album is available as either separate track or album zip in 128kbps MP3.

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