"Music to die painfully, yet quizically to. Oh my God, my fucking head is killing me.. I'd like to tell you that the pounding cranium agony is the result of knocking back a few too many vodka's, or possibly the result of a swift trip down the stairs that resulted in me landing with my legs over my head, after conking my skull on every step on the way down. Sadly, none of the above are even remotely close to the truth. No dear readers, the reason for your scribes unbearable agony is the result of spinning "We Substitute Radiance", the result of a long-laboured project born of Austin-based Electro nutjob Ryan Huber, operating under the moniker Bobcrane and Atlanta-based drummer-cum-industrial whirlwind Sean Moore, acting under the alias Lid Emba. I would like to clear the air, not for one second would I dub "We Substitute Radiance" as a bad album, far from it. It's simply so mind bendingly complicated that to try and analyse it in any great length is enough to cause a brain haemorrhage for even the most decorated of polymaths, as the duo take the listener on a journey deep into a realm of broken rhythm, gentle lulls and biting, jagged industrial insanity. Starting with "Toxic Utopian", a track that begins with a gentle ambience before unfolding into an avant garde blend of static noise, angry feedback and off-kilt drums, setting the ground for what's to come. Following on with the likes of "Bird Brain" and "Stampeder", both caustic, head first dives into a black abyss of ungodly sounds; drawing together everything from fuzzy bass lines, to Casio keys, mangled drums and highly distorted samples. While the likes of "Braille Phantom Braille" and the epic album closer "Flying Dead Overhead" echo Hammond organs, classical elements and Tim Hecker-esque layered sonics, concluding in one of the greatest mind-manglings you're ever likely to endure. Fact is, "We Substitute Radience" is the proverbial alternative to someone tearing out your brain, throwing it in a meat grinder and then feeding you back your own grey matter. While to some this could be perceived as enjoyable in a highly masochistic way, to others this could seem an unapproachable extreme, to which they choose not to discover. But one thing is clear, this is uncontrollable and excellent, but one further; this is very selective listening. Approach with caution." - Tom Brumpton

Subba-Cultcha