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Band: Impurfekt
Album title: Human (2012)
Release date: 1 May 2012
Label: Self/Released
Impurfekt is one man band from Seattle and the artist hears on a name Aaron Russell. Human (2012) is not a new record, but a remastered and remixed version of his second album Human released back in 2009 and released anew as self-released digital album on bandcamp. I'm not familiar with the original edition, but I'm sure that this album must represent the darkest era in Aarons artistic creation. Contrary to In Loving Memory released earlier this year and sees Impurfekt in a more bright and trip hop oriented way, this one is completely obscure collection of 12 tracks dedicated (as Aaron says) to those who've left us and those they left behind, so, he's not only interested in living ones, but... This album certainly manipulates the listener with it's sick dark exploration of human desires and it's being. It's not an easy listen, but in all it's obscurity is still a heartfelt and somehow disturbing warm sonic journey.
Human starts with the title song. It's dark atmospheric introduction starting with a distant heart beat kind of sound, soon layered over by organ and later developement being broken with distorted blackened shouts, addition of industrial and tripy club beats, strings, piano and other atmospheric sounds implemented with some spoken male/female words is an absolute, almost epic voyage into someones inner self expressed through the rest of the album. Aarons vocals are often icy cold distorted whisperings intertwined with sometimes claustrophobic atmospheres. Those dark ambient, electronic, industrial and trip hop kind of beats are often suplemented with organ, strings and piano, adding the right colourness to Impurfekt. Listening to somehow ironic "Bloody Whore" with gently and atmospheric female voice by Karra Russell in-between is an amazing experience. Also "Fragile" with subtle piano and string sounds, interrupted by strong drum beats and atmospheric synths takes you with it's catcy flow. "Suicide Lover" is a bizarre dramatic tune bringing an insight into someones mind right before saying goodbye to the living. All the qualities of Impurfekt are somehow in their most noticeable form shown here. Human finishes with atmospheric, in a way nostalgic ambiental "My Friend At A Funeral", "Beautiful Memory" and absolutely gorgeous flow of "Starlight" with the best vocal performance by Aaron, yet, nothing special are those blackened whispers, but on most songs they fit perfectly into overall ambiance. Of course there are some tracks which I didn't enjoyed so much, like "Spill Your Blood" with techno club beats, but I'm sure that this one is destined to be played often in some dark clubs, anyway, also kind of boring and too long "And The Beast" didn't find my appreciation in it's wholeness, but still they add a lot to diversity and overall dynamics of this album.
When album finishes you are left somehow empty and somehow distressed, but not in a bad way, more like being pushed into the obscure part of your being asking questions of your existence... I wonder if Impurfekt will continue with sweet torments like this, I'll be glad. The production is good, also the minimalistic and black cover artwork adds a lot to the whole perception of those sounds that will appeal mostly to fans of In Strict Confidence, Velvet Acid Christ, Wumpscut and the likes.
Review written by: T.V.
Rating: 7,5/10
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