This is the first collaboration between Monolog, master of Drum n Bass and IDM music, and Subheim, explorer of abstract electronica and admirer of ambiance. The two artists have a steady presence in the experimental scene, with Monolog starting off in the early '00s while Subheim appeared in the scene during the last few years of that decade.
What is captivating about Conviction is the richness of its sonic palette within such short duration. The album itself goes a bit over the twenty minute mark, but the amount of guises and the depth of experimentation that the two artists are able to bring to the surface is truly impressive. That is not a big surprise considering the history of these two projects, but put together it becomes a completely different story.
Monolog is in charge of building the foundation of this work, creating a spine for the record. His distorted beats and heavy rhythmic structure can become the origin of order, or drag the parts into more unpredictable situations. No matter the case, Subheim always delivers with his vast spectrum of influences, acquiring not only the sound, but also the emotion of genres such as post-rock, drone, techno and trip-hop, enriching the experience.
The chthonian opening to the album, with a sense of primal energy along with the concentrated and precise progression, leads down different pathways. Noise elements appear, with the two musicians bending them to their will, are creating harsh effects and background accompaniments to enact a diverse array of elements. The album blossoms into further branches, a strong ritualistic element coming to the front with “Sumo Rimi,” while synths become more realistic and tangible. Dark ambient explorations are initiated, huge drones are produced as the duo leaves the structured realm behind them and defiantly walk into more abstract domains, with the record finally closing in a high emotive tone with “Colorful Flight” and its excellent vocal performance. It is a dark and adventurous trip through the mindset of two great artists.
