Frost Drought is the result of a collaboration in between Ukrainian project Kojoohar (Andrii Kozhukhar of Kadaitcha-fame) and German Frank Ursus (Te/DIS). Both guys accidently met, and after some conversations, they decided to do something together. It resulted in the recording of four rather short compositions (in between three and four minutes), written by Kojoohar (who performed all instrumental parts), with Frank Ursus providing the lyrics and vocal parts.
It's not that strange to see Ant-Zen handling the (physical) release; the latter being a 7”EP on black vinyl, yet with unique hand-printed inlay (each print is different). It comes with mind-blowing cover-artwork in a black and white palette, created by Salt.
Frost Drought stands for fifteen minutes of somehow dystopian and negative Electronic Music. And it does overwhelm for sure! This material has something old-schooled, à la the Eighties scene of Goth Rock / New Wave / Dark Electro / Synth Pop / Post-Punk / Gothic / Post-Industrial [I do admit that this is a wide-visioned approach, yet believe me that it does fit], yet deeply surrounded by a certain Angst Pop Electronics alike character that does identify Andrii’s visions.
The four compositions are structured around darkened and bleak electronic devices, with eerie synth harmonies, doomed beats, mesmerizing melodies, and sermonizing voices. Opener Debris Field is the most dystopian one, the most radical and outsider track, with a truly intoxicating attitude. There’s so much to discover – and uncover – with Frank’s preaching voices, and an acceptable overload on electronic structures, hypnotic beats, and melodious fragmentation. Never Compromise sort of comes with a fine C. C. Pohl elegance, somehow eroticizing and enigmatic. The main keyboard melody works mesmerizing, even transcendental, while the drum programming has a very dynamic effect. Manufactured Existence delves into darker, more abyssal areas with these militant drum patterns and gloomy synths, like a guidance through monumental realms of reverence and awe, while Threshold finds inspiration into territories of intoxicated, alienated electronics.
Imagine a mixture of Nine Inch Nails, Project Pitchfork, Kadaitcha, Silke Bischoff, Depeche Mode, Blutengel and the likes; Frost Drought then again is a new step into ranges of timeless and belligerent Post-Electronic Music, created with a mostly mesmeric, sedative and seductive core. For what it’s worth: within the electronic genre, this is one of my mostly adored recordings / releases in more than a decade!
https://ant-zen.bandcamp.com/album/frost-drought
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gj-Wdrt9Rik
https://www.concreteweb.be/reviews/kojoohar-k%C3%B6dzid-goo
https://www.concreteweb.be/reviews/kadaitcha