Theia EP

Theia EP press blurb

London-based Combat Recordings boss Stormfield teams up with Scottish IDM wizard Mitoma to deliver 4 tracks of heavyweight, creaky machine-step that could sit comfortably in DJ sets of dancefloor electro, sound design IDM or pure sound-design headphone introversion, and nods heavily at some of their strongest influences from Autechre, Gescom and Gridlock. Reinforcing the release are 4 sterling remixes from the respected producers Anodyne, Somatic Responses, Ingen, and Defunkt Dialekt.

Created over the long lockdown, minds were cast toward the grand, cold majesty of outer space, far beyond the walled confines of their bunkers. Taking data and imagery from the European Space Agency as their guides and inspiration, a sonic narrative was developed over 4 tracks, each evolving out of hardware jams on the Soma Laboratory Pulsar-23, going through heavy processing and refinement.

Theia follows the duo's "Expanse EP" of 2019, continuing the explorative space theme , the EP's namesake being an ancient planet in the early Solar System that, according tocertain hypotheses, gave rise to Earth and the moon. In more current times, Theia also refers to nanosatellites in space systems engineering.

What we have are 4 tracks of bass-heavy, broken machine rhythms suspended in majestic, mournful tones.

Contrast is a constant trait of their production, where glacially majestic strings resonate at odds with rapidfire glitches and metallic percussive details, especially on tracks like "Theia".

"Atlas" goes deeper into Gescom-like territory, confidently chugging with the solid thud of a hip-hop beat as skittering percussion work their way into the cracks between each huge kickdrum."Kepler" goes along a more dubby route, with asymmetric percussive delays, while "Pulsar" features bleepy machine melodies like satellites chattering to each other in little voices.

The EP begins with epic, mournful strings, while rapidfire snares build up. Contrast is a constant theme in their music, with glacial, slow stringwork paired with rapidfire glitches and percussive details, especially on tracks like Theia.

Atlas goes deeper into Gescom-like territory, confidently chugging with the solid thud of a hip hop beat as skittering percussion work their way into the cracks between each huge kickdrum.

The 4 originals come reinforced with 4 remixes (or 5 on the bandcamp version). Anodyne reworks the zero-gravity satellite dance of the original into a fierce and fast-paced electro piece, tight snappy drums and bearing the characteristic stringwork that he is so well known for.

Ingen takes Pulsar into techno territory, beginning with cantering half-time drums before dropping into a solid, tribal-ish stampede pattern as various elements of FM synth and percussion weave their way in.

Veteran industrial electronic duo Somatic Responses turn in not one but two remixes (the second is available only via the CombatRecordings Bandcamp). Pulsar (SR remix) takes no prisoners as Somatics let rip with brutal drum breaks fixing in the reds and sharp, cold Aphex-like shrapnel percussion

Atlas (SR remix) goes along the acid route, starting mellow and building up into a frenzied swarm of chunky 303 squelches.

Defunkt Dialekt turns in a unique rework of Kepler, with it's drum arrangements played like a live drummer would, skittering and striking in loose, almost jazz-like style but keeping the heads-down direction

Thick sullen pads permeate the intricate beatwork.