Over the last four years, Istanbul’s Ductape has been meticulously sculpting a ferocious tempest of post-punk dynamism that both agitates, enthralls, and, as their name could possibly suggest, leaves you speechless. There’s a certain audacity in their approach: a deliberate blurring of the lines, where the thrumming, ominous bass and the jagged, electric snarl of guitar riffs permeate the ether – nay, rend it asunder, allowing for a deep, introspective dive into the caverns of the human psyche.
Their emotion-soaked vocals, labyrinthine guitar motifs, and the earthy thrum of bass converge in a ritualistic cadence, all propelled forward by the relentless, almost militant beat of drums. In the hands of Ductape, music transforms into a living entity, pulsating with unbridled innovation. Now they’ve unfurled their latest album, Echo Drama, out now via Swiss Dark Nights.
The opening track, Red Scar, unfolds with reflections on days filled with contrasting emotions—from cold breezes and sadness to unexpected happiness. It explores the fluctuating states of dreams and the soul, and changes in physical appearances, always circling back to the joy found in everyday moments. The imagery of a setting sun and a red scar speaks to deep connections and lasting memories. Closer explores themes of closeness in death, the release of pain, and the liberation of the soul. The repeated invocation of “tasteful sorrows” suggests finding a poignant beauty in the finality of life.
The Unknown reveals a tale of mystical union among celestial entities, where bodies bear the mark of the sun, the moon bleeds its light, and fallen stars act as guardians. It extends an invitation into a cosmic realm shrouded in mystery, where light reaches into the depths of the unknown, hinting at a profound bond with enigmatic forces and realms beyond our understanding. This is followed by standout track Evil Me, a journey of self-discovery and confrontation with one’s shadow self. This introspective voyage is marked by a relentless search for happiness and an acknowledgment of an inseparable bond with pain, even beyond existence.
Overcoming the allure of a deceptive presence, characterized by toxic charm and hidden poison, is the theme of the melancholic Veil of Lies. It describes betrayal through false promises, leading to a newfound resolve to reject the harmful influence and see beyond the lies, ultimately reclaiming strength and clarity from the venomous deception.
The final three tracks on the album are sung in Turkish. Anafor deals with inner turmoil and attraction to a dangerous allure, symbolizing a descent into the abyss. There’s a resignation to this fate, with no desire to return to promised lands. The song explores themes of self-destructive devotion and the acceptance of endless darkness, indicating a loss of self in the engulfing void. The following track Duvar describes a person haunted by a relentless dream, feeling trapped and consumed by their own inner turmoil. The repeated pleas for rescue from this darkness underscore a desperate yearning for liberation from the internal chaos and fear that besiege them. Finally, closing out the album, Insan Senfonisi reflects on the pervasive nature of games people play, leading to a sense of despair as everything loses its meaning. It suggests a resignation to this reality, advising against looking back or seeking the speaker, highlighting a sense of detachment and acceptance of the inevitable.
Listen to Echo Drama below, and order here.
In 2020, Ductape made their debut with Little Monsters, quickly followed by the release of their first album, Labirent, at the start of 2021. Signing with Swiss Dark Nights, they dropped the EP Araf, featuring remixes by notable artists like Hapax, Delphine Coma, and N.L.P, and also unveiled a live album, Live at Radyo Modyan, recorded at a radio station.
Rapidly expanding their footprint, Ductape embarked on two tours in Mexico, a South American tour, and made significant appearances across European shows and festivals soon after their debut. Known for their dynamic stage presence, their discography, highlighted by albums like Labirent and Ruh, established them as influential figures in the Turkish live scene and beyond.
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