Under Control by Hioctan: A Dark Industrial Odyssey That Won't Let Go
If you’re into music that feels like it crawled out of the shadows of a dystopian future, then Under Control by Hioctan is your jam. Released in 2010 under NoiTekk—a label known for its gritty electronic vibes—this album slaps harder than a malfunctioning assembly line. With roots split between Russia and Germany, this industrial beast was crafted with precision (and maybe some mild chaos). The man behind it all? Michael Senft, who wore so many hats during production—writing, vocals, lyrics—you’d think he had eight arms.
The artwork? Shout-out to bauchzuender for setting the tone right off the bat. It’s stark, unsettling, and looks like something you’d find spray-painted on an abandoned factory wall. And let’s not forget Koltron Music Production for mastering this sonic storm—they made sure every beat hits where it hurts just right.
Now, onto the tracks. There are 14 songs here, but I gotta call out two that stuck with me long after my headphones came off.
First up: “Sonderbehandlung 14F13.” What even is that title? Sounds like code for a secret government experiment gone wrong—and trust me, the track lives up to its cryptic name. From the opening synth stabs, it grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go. The rhythm pounds like machinery grinding metal while Senft’s vocals float somewhere between desperation and defiance. You can practically hear the cold sweat dripping off whoever’s trapped in this nightmare soundscape. This one stayed glued to my brain because it’s relentless—it’s the kind of song that makes you stare at your ceiling at 3 AM wondering if robots dream too.
Then there’s “Pretender,” which flips the script a bit. At first, it lures you in with almost hypnotic beats, smooth enough to make you drop your guard. But then BAM—layers of distortion crash in like waves ripping apart a fragile ship. Lyrically, it dives deep into themes of identity and falsehoods, delivered with a raw edge that feels personal yet universal. By the time the chorus kicks in, you realize you’ve been nodding along to what might as well be a breakup letter addressed to society itself. It’s hauntingly catchy, like catching yourself humming a funeral march without realizing it.
Other standout moments include “Collision” (a chaotic masterpiece perfect for when life feels like spinning out of control) and “Sacred Attraction,” which somehow manages to sound both seductive and sinister at the same time. Oh, and don’t skip “Under Control”—the title track wraps things up with a brooding finale that leaves you questioning whether anyone or anything is truly ever under control.
So yeah, Under Control isn’t just an album; it’s more like an experience—an audio journey through dark corridors of humanity and technology colliding. Listening to it feels like wandering through an abandoned city lit only by flickering neon lights. Sure, parts of it are uncomfortable, but isn’t that the point?
And honestly? If aliens ever invade Earth looking for proof we had soul-crushing existential crises before they showed up, I’d hand them this album. They’d either love us or vaporize us immediately. Either way, mission accomplished.
