Album Review: haeltwoipaltac by Bass Heretic
In the sprawling landscape of experimental electronic music, Bass Heretic’s haeltwoipaltac stands out as a peculiar and unapologetically raw creation. Released in 2015 under the artist’s own label (or lack thereof), this album dives headfirst into the murky waters of glitch, acid, and experimental sounds. It doesn’t aim to please everyone—instead, it challenges listeners to lean in, decode its cryptic rhythms, and embrace its chaotic beauty.
One track that sticks with you is "puls." Right from the start, it feels like your brain is being rewired. The beat isn’t just a beat—it’s more like an irregular heartbeat, skipping and stuttering but somehow still alive. Paired with eerie synth tones that seem to hover in the background, "puls" creates a sense of unease that’s oddly captivating. You don’t just hear it; you feel it. It’s one of those tracks that sneaks up on you when you least expect it, lingering long after the headphones come off.
Another standout is "externae mal.31." This one feels like stepping into a malfunctioning machine—gears grinding, circuits frying, yet there’s an undeniable groove beneath the chaos. The way Bass Heretic layers distorted glitches over a driving bassline shows a mastery of tension and release. Just when you think it’s about to collapse into total disarray, it pulls back, leaving you breathless. Tracks like these remind you why experimental music can be so thrilling—it breaks rules without asking for permission.
The rest of the album follows suit, weaving through moments of abrasive noise ("breveR-Pmocc32") and haunting ambience ("spectre"). While not every track hits the mark, the sheer audacity of haeltwoipaltac keeps you engaged. It’s messy, yes, but intentionally so—a deliberate middle finger to polished, predictable electronic releases.
What’s fascinating about this album is how it refuses to hold your hand. There are no obvious hooks or radio-friendly drops here. Instead, it invites—or rather, dares—you to find meaning in its fractured soundscapes. Listening to it feels like piecing together a puzzle where half the pieces are missing, but somehow, that incomplete picture still makes sense.
On reflection, haeltwoipaltac might not be for everyone. Heck, it might not even be for most people. But for those who crave something different, something that challenges their ears and expectations, this album delivers in spades. And honestly? That’s kinda refreshing. Who needs perfection when you’ve got personality?
Final thought: If this album were a person, it’d probably show up late to a party wearing mismatched socks and still manage to steal the spotlight.
