Shalt Seraphim

With three APR releases under his belt, Shalt turns in his longest statement to date
in Seraphim, a mini-epic that unfolds over six intricately arranged, brilliantly coloured
acts. Once again focusing in on the intersection between the technological and the
natural, the London-based producer builds a narrative around an angelic being, a
visage displayed by accompanying video work by Los Angeles' Nick Zhu. More
concretely, the album delves into the contradictions inherent in technological
development, ruminating over the capitalist myth of scarcity, coming (and present)
ecological disaster, and the contemporary path of medical research. Sonically,
Seraphim features a fusion of the sensibilities featured on Acheron, Inertia and ?ælt,
noisy effects and a barrage of rugged percussion juxtaposed with passages of melodic
bliss. It's music preoccupied with technology, but with a naturalistic ethos at its core,
emphasizing our confusion over humanity's influence on the world (even when
uncynically trying to perform good deeds). That ethos is embodied in the baroque
ambience of "Seraph", as well as the impactful, multi-layered crack of "Fleeting". It's
deeply visual music and like the best sci-fi, deals with lasting contemporary issues
under the guise of futurity.