Ancestral Pattern by upper regions

Upper Regions drops his anticipated follow-up to the Sky System EP released earlier this year. Ancestral Pattern continues in the same vein as its predecessor, with a bottom heavy industrial attack that remains free of the excessive distorted textures that dominate the style. Upper Regions is clean, expressive lines of concrete, with massive mechanical parts, and a future-human lifeblood that runs throughout. The title track 'Ancestral Pattern' exemplifies that sound and aesthetic.

'Nitrophorin' opens with an unsubtle ode to Gary Numan circa 1979. The track remains very sparse throughout, setting a simple pretext with sporadic, deeply-textured elements over pristine rolling kick and high hat. A few well-chosen bass and synth layers make brief solo appearances, setting up a couple more rounds of the infectious opening riff.

'The World Fell Away' reveals a rarely-exposed element of Upper Regions. Here we are subject to an unusual cinematic wedge of dub techno. Organic percussion and gong fx set up a meditative field of sub bass meanderings and resonant synth textures. A steady uptempo pickup beat kicks in and we see the unique mix possibilities of this expansive, sonic deep-dive.

'Panic 2020' embodies a massive, convex mix layer overflowing with bass, but hosting ample space for top elements. It features a centerpiece of low end, chromatic synth sequences, that twist delicately, angling perspective while changing few other elements of the groove.

'Shut Your Eyes' unfolds a series of gnarly synth runs and filtered noise blasts while the drum layers build purposefully toward an electrified extended outro. Atmospheric layers are haunted by a disembodied voice insisting we see nothing, in order to feel everything.

By now, the cold, hard surfaces of Ancestral Pattern have become a place of comfort. Finally, 'Elastic Solid' drives that sensation further home by unloading the most constant sense of melody and phrasing found on the EP. It's a suitable closer which the other tracks have carefully built up to, a moment which culminates in a combination of retro new wave intertwined with modern EBM.

With releases on Spliced Vinyl, Spins & Needles, Editions Sordid, Cosmetiq, Slice, and Teknofonic, Upper Regions (Jim Roditis) is rapidly spreading his territory with a signature approach to techno and other electronic music forms. His releases are marked by dark sound design and bold use of structure and arrangement, a modern sound with undeniable hints at years of diverse musical experiences...