Containment by Downscope

For some reason I've always had a morbid fascination with nuclear power plant tragedies and radiation leaks. Perhaps it's the perplexing concept of an unseen destructive power. In addition to dramatized films based on the Fukushima disaster of 2011 and the somewhat more recent HBO mini series "Chernobyl," I've often delved into documentaries on the subject of radiation threats and the struggle for containment.

Containment is comprised of several different approaches all thematically linked to the core. While the original versions of these tracks exude dub techno with ambient vibes, I wanted to focus deeper into the theme of nuclear radiation for the contained versions.

What does radiation sound like?

While most may associate radioactivity with the sounds emitted from a Geiger Counter, I decided to depict the fast motion of particles using wind tunnel noise, funneled into slightly slower drone-beat tracks. Like the radiation breakdown process resulting in radioactive decay, these alternate versions offer colder and more minimal, sonic decay.

The journey ends with an alternate version of "Decommissioned," run through overmodulated tape-looped distortion emulating the crackling attributes of a Geiger Counter. The result is a distressed, almost arresting score that comes closer to the horrifying reality nuclear catastrophes present. Listen at your own discretion.

minimal / dub / ambient techno

See also:
https://silverdub.bandcamp.com/

https://frequencyshift.bandcamp.com/

https://dreamswithoutend.bandcamp.com/

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