The sonic rebirth under the Live From Earth label
The Berlin duo Brutalismus 3000, composed of vocalist Victoria Vassiliki Daldas and producer Theo Zeitner, has recently released their second studio album, titled 'Harmony'. Released through the label and collective Live From Earth at the end of this June, the 13-track LP marks a drastic evolution from their acclaimed 2023 debut 'ULTRAKUNST'. In this new installment, the group expands their sonic palette far beyond the characteristic post-techno and nu-gabber that catapulted them to fame, incorporating textures from hyperpop, nu-metal, trap, and dubstep.
The architecture of 'Harmony' is sustained by meticulous production that seeks a balance between extreme saturation and catchy melodic structures. The intensive use of classic drum machines pushed to the limit of distortion, combined with synthesized basslines that border on noise, creates a dense atmosphere that envelops the listener. Daldas' ability to alternate between ethereal whispers and gut-wrenching screams adds a theatrical dimension to tracks that would otherwise be pure DJ tools. The duo, which formed in 2018 and debuted in 2020 with the EP 'Amore Hardcore', continues to challenge the conventions of traditional European clubbing, often mocking the rigidity of the Berlin techno scene to propose a much more anarchic approach.
Studio synergies and high-caliber collaborations
One of the most notable aspects of this record is the technical level of its collaborations. The album's co-production features the participation of electro-techno veteran Boys Noize and Dylan Brady, one half of the influential hyperpop duo 100 gecs. This amalgamation of talent in the studio has resulted in a sound design that is highly polished in its final mix, without losing the raw essence of the original project.
The official tracklist of 'Harmony', with a total duration of just over 36 minutes, includes pieces that are already resonating strongly in the global electronic scene:
- I Bring My Gun To The Function: A hard-hitting cut in direct collaboration with Boys Noize that fuses industrial aggression with dancefloor groove.
- Friends At The Pigshed: An unexpected and masterful alliance with electronic legends Underworld, adding a layer of rave mysticism.
- Morning Is For The Happy: An atmospheric interlude that features the surprising vocal participation of actress Anya Taylor-Joy.
- A Milli: A bold reinterpretation that interpolates the Lil Wayne classic under a filter of massive distortion.
- Testo Skin Part 1 and Part 2: Two variations of the same hardcore banger that serve as the central axis of the record, showing the evolutionary process of a single musical idea.
It is the first record where we truly found ourselves as a band. The language we speak now is much closer to what we want to be, and the amount of work invested was a hundred times greater than on the previous one.
— Theo Zeitner
Visual mutation and the impact on the global dancefloor
Beyond the complex audio synthesis, the release has been accompanied by an ambitious audiovisual project. Director Mau Morgó has been in charge of a non-linear trilogy of music videos that includes striking pieces for 'Testo Skin Part 1', 'Gore Louvre', and 'I Bring My Gun To The Function'. These visual representations perfectly capture the essence of the duo, reflecting themes of fractured realities, contemporary anxieties, and human connections in the digital age.
The anticipation generated during the nearly two years of the album's development has materialized in a series of exclusive listening events around the world. After recent appearances on stages at top-tier festivals like Ultra Music Festival and Lollapalooza, the duo organized global 'listening parties'. From an initial cathartic session in Tokyo, which according to Daldas dispelled all of the duo's creative fears regarding the new musical direction, to a presentation in New York that had to be shut down by authorities due to extreme overcrowding.
With 'Harmony', Brutalismus 3000 not only reaffirms their undisputed dominance in the underground ecosystem, but also demonstrates an unusual ability to translate the most abrasive energy of the rave into a cohesive, mature album format with unprecedented cultural reach in their career.
