Unmaker, the third album by Copenhagen's LLNN, is an unforgiving musical experience. It's abrasive and vile at times, yet also effervescent and escharotic, ultimately smothering and suffocating. LLNN first made a mark in 2016 with their critically - acclaimed debut album 'Loss', described as a display of 'absolute raging rawness' by Terrorizer. Their sound is more than just raw; as The Sludgelord noted, 'wavering drone synths merged with raw hardcore - driven darkness define the idiosyncratic nuances of their unsubtle, overwhelming sound'. After European tours with Bison, festival performances at Roskilde, Roadburn, and Arctangent, and a split EP with WOVOKA, LLNN released their sophomore album 'Deads' in 2018. It was more compact yet more complex and organic. On Unmaker, the band further explores the combination of guitar and bass with synth layers from keys player Ketil G. Sejersen. LLNN's contemporary heaviness isn't just about dense, crashing tracks or buried vocals. The dominant synths evoke the feel of dystopian, post - apocalyptic sci - fi movies, inspired by composers like Brad Fiedel, Vangelis, John Carpenter, and Stanley Kubrick, as well as sci - fi/horror games like Silent Hill, Dead Space, Halo, and Limbo. Sejersen says, 'As huge fans of classic sci - fi scores and video games, we're fascinated by how cinematic sound design can evoke emotions and fuel abstract storytelling.' A short film shows the creation process of the new record, from original sound recording to the final result, produced at a blacksmith using industrial machines. Sejersen explains that much of the sound design starts with field recordings and is then modulated in post - production. By layering sounds from a circular metal saw and other treated industrial tool recordings, LLNN creates eerie and harsh yet thematically coherent synth - soundscapes. Unmaker tells a story about how technology, combined with power structures, is transforming humanity, affecting human values, and becoming an end in itself. It shows how progress can turn into regress. LLNN has caught the attention of movie soundtrack composers like Peter Albrechtsen. He says, 'As a sound designer for movies, I love when music feels like a sonic adventure. LLNN's new album is one of the most intense records I've heard. The blend of abstract ambient sounds, shattering rhythms, and extreme noise is hypnotic and powerful.' Unmaker will be released in five different vinyl color variants. All colored variants come with a second LP titled 'Sonic Fragments from Unmaker', featuring only the synth sounds. These fragments offer a peek into the band's dark cosmos.
If you've just got your hands on the LLNN Unmaker 2x12 vinyl album, here's how to enjoy it. First, make sure you have a good quality record player. Place the vinyl gently on the turntable, and carefully lower the needle onto the groove. Sit back, relax, and let the unique sounds of LLNN wash over you. You can start with the main album to get the full band experience, and then switch to the 'Sonic Fragments from Unmaker' LP for a different, synth - only perspective. When handling the vinyl, always hold it by the edges to avoid getting fingerprints on the playing surface. Keep the album in its sleeve when not in use to protect it from dust and scratches. Store it in a cool, dry place, and try to keep it upright to prevent warping. That's all you need to know to enjoy this amazing musical journey!
