Berlin-based duo House of Terror emerges from the depths of the progressive and psychedelic rock scene with a debut album that defies conventional genre boundaries. Their full-length debut, Transmission Lost, is a sprawling, adventurous journey through soundscapes that merge improvisation, intensity, and melodic finesse. While hints of avant-rock, jazz rock, post-rock, electronic, space rock, and krautrock are woven into their sound, House of Terror builds a musical identity that challenges.
At its core, Transmission Lost thrives on dynamic contrasts. The album’s four tracks, each clocking in between ten and nearly twelve minutes, are sprawling epics where explosive energy meets serene introspection. The interplay between blistering drums, pulsating bass lines, and radiant guitar work is a constant, driving the album’s unpredictable and riveting flow. While the music retains an improvisational spirit, there’s an undeniable sense of structure and purpose. Transitions between chaotic crescendos and tranquil soundscapes feel intentional, suggesting meticulous planning amidst the spontaneity.
The opening track, “Awakening,” lives up to its title with an alarmingly melodic introduction that quickly gives way to layered, driving rhythms and textured guitar work. It sets the tone for what’s to come. “Divide by Infinity” brings a darker edge, with heavy drum patterns and an underlying bass that anchors the track’s ethereal guitar noodling. The result is a hypnotic, almost unsettling atmosphere that builds tension before dissipating into ambient serenity.
The album’s centerpiece, “Absolute Elsewhere,” is a near-twelve-minute odyssey that unfolds like a symphony. Constantly shifting in pace and mood, it features a mesmerizing interplay between guitar and drums, with a repetitive guitar line that serves as both a foundation and a point of departure for the duo’s quest. The track captures House of Terror’s essence on Transmission Lost: fearless and endlessly curious.
What makes Transmission Lost truly compelling is its refusal to settle into predictability. The duo continuously explores vast, uncharted territories, unafraid to take risks and push their sound in unexpected directions. There’s an undeniable sense of discovery throughout the album, as though House of Terror is on a relentless quest to find the perfect tone—and more often than not, they succeed.
Transmission Lost is melodic, noisy, chaotic, and serene, sometimes all within the same track. Most importantly, it never loses its edge or sense of purpose. This is a record that demands attention and rewards patience. Give it a listen on Bandcamp.
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The duo continuously explores vast, uncharted territories, unafraid to take risks and push their sound in unexpected directions.
