Dalek:
Absence

Release Date: 14 March 2005

Reviewed By: Oli Marlow

1. Distorted Prose

2. Asylum (Permanent Underclass)

3. Culture of the Dollars

4. Absence

5. A Beast Caged

6. Koner

7. In Midst of Struggle

8. Eyes to Form Shadows

9. Ever Somber

10. Opiate the Masses

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You might think the relatively unheard of Dalek (pronounced “Dialect”) are a new outfit presenting spliced sonic distortion together with socially aware lyrics; however, they are in actual fact qualified veterans who’ve been around for a little under a decade, finding their feet and selective fan base through extensive touring with seasoned professionals the likes of KRS-One, Grandmaster Flash and The Melvins. 

‘Absence’ is the latest offering from the Californian three-piece and it twists and moulds atmospheric perversions with super intelligent lyrics in an adversely modernistic and contemporary way.  

Despite a conscious effort to bend warped guitar tones around socio-political rhythm patterns, the onslaught of distortion and white noise could prove too much for the casual listener, but for anyone truly besotted with the ‘oh so underground’ stylings of the Def Jux and Anticon labels, ‘Absence’ will suck you in, chew up our psyche and spit you out; only it’ll be a slighter angrier, more politically conscious version of your previous self. 

Delve a little deeper into the somewhat erratic stylings of a band who purposely construct overtly underground music, and bit by bit it starts to make sense, unravelling like a fairytale construct of abstract vocals, turntable squiggles and brute force. 

Dälek are angry, and it’s more than evident from the opening acapella of ‘Distorted Prose’ right the way through the album, even the track names ooze social disgust, for example, ‘A Beast Caged’, ‘Culture for Dollars’ and ‘In Midst of Struggle’.   

Peer closely at the album artwork and it’ll leave you semi-confused, but more than part intrigued with its dark etchings of chaotic faces.The cover is a reflection of the music and it sums up the attitude and power of the musical content perfectly.  

Emcee Dälek’s voice sounds irate, suppressed yet somewhat melodic in places whilst the cavernous echoes of guitar lines merge uncomfortably with straight edged beats and turntable trickery, (provided by resident DJ, Still), creating a diverse cauldron of rock infused hip hop that is abundantly authoritative and has the momentum of a wayward juggernaut possessed by defiantly un-Christian demons hell bent on lyrical and mental devastation. 

Blending the attitude of Public Enemy with emotionally charged, complicated sound-scapes provides a definite highlight in ‘Ever Somber’, as producer Oktopus excels himself, building an eclectic range of droning guitars and effervescent harmonics; aided aptly by the technical resilience of Still who adds a unique tonal scope of cuts and samples to the output as it rumbles into album closer ‘Opiate the Masses’. 

The production, although sometimes a little brash and overpowering, is some of the best work to be heard so far this year, bringing a subtly unique mixture of twisted guitars and manipulated ambience to listeners. 

‘Absence’ is darkly poetic, obscenely powerful, awe-inspiring stuff and it proves to be an eclectic, introspective joy for anyone enveloped by contemporary underground hip hop. The heavy rock influence shines throughout and it could be that the organised aggression and unexpected melody of the guitars compliments the barrage of lyrics like nothing else heard this millennium. 

Rating: 4 out of 5 

Top Three Tracks:

9. Ever Sombre
3. Culture for Dollars
7. In Midst of Struggle

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