RUHR emerges from the fusion sounds of the cityscapes Verona and Berlin, melding the raw, analogue synth tones of early minimal noise with the relentless rhythms of early EBM. This project serves as a meditation on contrasts, where minimalist aesthetics intersect with stark, high-contrast visuals, and impassioned lyrics weave together dadaistic and political themes. UHR sculpts a realm where sound becomes a potent force for expression and defiance, conjuring a vision of sensuality entwined with industrial resonance—a rhythmic pulse of rebellion and social upheaval. The repetitive structures in their music summon a primal dance, resonating with the spirit of unrest and the yearning for change.
The lyrics to 25KM delve into themes of facing recurring challenges, generational disillusionment, and existential reflection, depicting a cycle of breaking free only to encounter new battles.
The cyberpunk video, directed and edited by Ania Kozdoba, evokes an unsettling, eerie, and foreboding atmosphere. It features a masked figure, whose motives remain ambiguous, dancing furiously through underpasses, hallways, stairwells, and rooftops. Clad in a balaclava, the figure’s anonymity makes them a universal symbol, embodying a sense of hidden rebellion and tension against the urban backdrop. This stark, haunting imagery resonates with the themes of anonymity and defiance.
Watch the video for “25KM” below:
Other tracks on RUHR’s self-titled EP, such as “GESTALT,” depict a disenchanted youth seeking escape in nightlife, while “SYMMETRIE” celebrates the harmony found in dance and art amid life’s harsh realities. “ZEICHEN” envisions an inevitable, fateful storm on the horizon. Together, these songs weave a tale of struggle, fleeting respite, and the relentless pursuit of meaning amidst turmoil.
The EP was recorded in Berlin and produced and mastered by Cisco Parisi. Titled RUHR (Dance Remix), it offers a compelling exploration of its namesake’s industrial heart. RUHR previously released Live Rough Tracks, which was issued by Stanze Fredde Records.
Listen to 25KM below and order RUHR’s EP here.
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