Emerging from the labyrinthine underbelly of the creative hub of Austin, Texas, the electro-industrial duo Dread Risks have now set loose upon the world their third visually stunning masterpiece. Their latest video, “Trace Amounts,” is a highlight from their highly acclaimed 2022 album, “Automated Disappointment,” which was released via Re:Mission Entertainment.
The lyrics describe a relationship characterized by intensity, secrecy, and possibly sinister activity. One individual walks away into the night, leaving the other with lingering sensations and emotions. The departing person is portrayed as an enigmatic, almost predatory figure, connected to a dark and mysterious world. Throughout the song, there are themes of broken promises, hidden secrets, and forbidden connections. The imagery evokes feelings of longing and connection, while also hinting at something dangerous or forbidden. As the lyrics unfold, they reveal a shared bond that involves concealment and perhaps even betrayal, as the narrator vows to keep the secrets alive and acknowledges that they now possess all of them. The ending leaves a lingering sense of unresolved tension and attraction, with the scent and pulse of the departing individual continuing to call to the narrator.
Trace Amounts extends itself with a somber, haunting melody, a striking departure from the surrounding compositions. The song takes a serpentine path, winding its way into the shadows of Songs Of Faith and Devotion-era Depeche Mode. It’s a dark electro dirge, a mournful symphony that breathes with the cold wind of despair. Gone are the belched incantations of hellfire and brimstone. Instead, the voice takes on a melodic lament, aching with a melancholic beauty. The sweeping hook is no mere musical device but a siren’s call, beckoning listeners to drift into a dreamscape haunted by longing and loss. It’s a world of contrasts, where the soft croon of sadness dances with the harsh reality of existence.
Shaped by the hand of the band’s friend and labelmate, Ian Flux, at the mysterious chambers of Monican Audio, the visual component captures an otherworldly essence. Enter actress Crystal Rein, a spectral figure, whose formidable presence transcends mere performance – she becomes a siren of the shadows, elevating the eerie atmosphere, creating a visceral tableau that lingers, whispers, and beckons from the next realm. Her embodiment of the mood is not merely an act but a summoning, taking this piece from the ordinary to the ethereal.
Watch the video for ‘Trace Amounts” below:
Since their beginnings in 2018 Dread Risks has evolved into a caustic electro-industrial duo, weaving a web that has ensnared a loyal and ardent congregation. Their live rituals are not mere performances, but immersive experiences where cinematic compositions come to life, throbbing and pulsating with primal energy. Through a prolific output of remixes, they’ve etched themselves into the consciousness of their audience, wielding aggressively-dynamic sounds that shock the senses and stir the soul. But it’s not just about sound and fury. Dread Risks crafts song structures that are not just melodies – but messages – resonating with a dark truth that reflects our deepest fears and desires.
With the alchemic touch of Ritchard F. Napierkowski at the mixing and mastering helm, “Trace Amounts” emerges as a sound wave phantom, ready to dance through the ears of those daring enough to listen. Available on Bandcamp and all streaming platforms, it invites listeners to a digital séance, where melodies echo like distant voices and rhythms pulse like the very heart of darkness. The call has been made; will you answer?
Automated Disappointment is out now.
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